The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri
Chaminda Wijesiri criticized members of the NPP, alleging inconsistency between their anti-corruption statements and their associations with individuals they accused, including in relation to the Central Bank issue. He also disputed claims that the rice shortage or price problem had been resolved, stating that rice and coconut prices remained high and that people were reducing consumption out of necessity rather than due to government success.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Chief Opposition Whip Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, please allow me another minute or two.
¶ 02 [Expunged on the order of the Chair.]
¶ 03 We have seen those who shouted about corruption in this Chamber then lunching at the canteen with the very people they named. To NPP backbenchers: you shouted “thief,” yet ate with them. Ask the officials—they know. Handunnetti ate; Bimal Ratnayake ate; even your President Anura Kumara ate with Malik Samarawickrama while shouting about the Central Bank. Don’t sacrifice your integrity; oppose this administration.
¶ 04 You claim the rice issue is solved, Hon. Gayantha. It is not. Rice is Rs. 240–260 per kilo; coconuts Rs. 240. People have adjusted by cutting needs—not because of NPP success.
¶ 05 Those near the sea may cook with seawater, but in the central region people are not used to eating rice without salt—though you may be.
Provenance
- Source
- Hansard, Thursday, 22 May 2025 ·No. 1750307293077610 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 22 May 2025. No. 1750307293077610. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/24598