The Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

¶ 02 First, I am pleased to take part in the debate on the Second Reading of the Budget. At the outset, I would like to respond to some views expressed by the Hon. Member who spoke before me and offer clarity.

¶ 03 Generally, a national budget is not a statement a new government crafts in isolation to unveil, in a single day, every weakness of previous administrations. A budget is tied to measures taken by former governments, their policy frameworks, and the economic management adopted in the past. Therefore, a new government cannot prepare a budget while disregarding or forgetting all prior economic factors—unless one were to recreate a country anew with a vast capital stock.

¶ 04 Further, we cannot discuss the future economy while carelessly ignoring what transpired in the recent past. Hence, we must examine the economic measures and certain actions taken by those who governed previously, including groups represented by some of the Members who spoke.

¶ 05 I also wish to comment on the conduct we observe inside this House, morning till evening. We often hear calls about the value of experience—about seasoned leaders—both in political platforms and here. Yet, frequently, some so-called experienced Members rise on a “Point of Order,” create confusion, exploit the moment for media sound bites to appear relevant, and leave. If asked what a Point of Order actually is, they cannot answer. After years in Parliament, not knowing even the meaning of a Point of Order betrays a fundamental deficiency. It seems the goal is to satisfy the vanity of appearing active in politics. At times, I feel embarrassed by this.

¶ 06 Next, claims were made—both about what the National People's Power (NPP) government would do upon coming to office and what would follow it—that have been repeated by the Opposition for a long time: that if we came to power, the economy would collapse, there would be religious extremism, and instability.