The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, we appreciate your balanced conduct and hope you will soon be the Speaker. The Motion asks how to legally and practically implement what the Government promised, not to inflame public resentment. The President publicly said he would not take a pension. But Article 36(2) of the Constitution provides for salary, allowances and thereafter a pension as determined by Parliament, and protects such entitlements from being retrospectively taken away by later law. If the Government says these will be foregone, bring the mechanisms and timelines, including for spousal and dependent benefits. We will support genuine legal reforms. Stop mere optics—while saying vehicles are reduced for MPs, senior officials still use V8s. If expenses are really cut, show it in reduced prices and relief to the people.

¶ 02 On security, claiming savings by removing MP protection does not send that money to the public; the officers are still paid. Bring real reforms, not theatrics. We ask the Government to convert this Motion into concrete amending Bills. We will support.

¶ 03 [Expunged on the order of the Chair.]