The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, the people have given a strong mandate to the NPP to change the political culture. We have acted accordingly. The era of politicians as super-privileged is over. We have ended many illegal and even some legal perks. Instances like bar permits, commissions for contracts and other corrupt practices are being investigated; that culture is being dismantled.

¶ 02 We have refrained from taking vehicle permits. A committee headed by Justice Chitrasiri has reported on abolishing parliamentary pensions, and amendments to the Parliamentary Pensions Act are being drafted. We have vacated 51 luxury official residences previously given to Ministers and State Ministers and will not reallocate them; they will be repurposed for economically productive uses. Ministers and State Ministers are working without drawing salaries. Many privileges—legal and illegal—have been removed.

¶ 03 On security for MPs, there is no blanket policy to provide it as a privilege. Where there is a specific threat assessed by the security authorities, protection will be provided case by case. We will protect public funds at all times.

¶ 04 We are transforming the politician into a true people’s representative at ground level. We are proceeding to amend the Parliamentary Pensions Act and fulfill our undertakings. No one can point a finger at us for abandoning our promises. We will complete the remaining tasks and report to this august House.