The Hon. Jagath Vithana

¶ 01 I raise this because VAT relief has not been granted to the public. The NPP government promised VAT relief to reduce the cost of living, reduce prices and fertilizer costs. There is no mention of such relief in the Budget. Therefore, it is surprising that such a write-off appears, and we will seek who calculated and proposed it.

¶ 02 On the ground, life is hard; prices are high; people are vulnerable. Regardless of the government, this is reality. There is widespread fear today. I will not repeat others’ points on national security, but I speak from personal experience: I was shot at by underworld elements 22 years ago; a 9mm bullet entered one side of my body and exited the other. The police recovered the bullet; the suspects were arrested. As a former military officer, I defended myself. To this day, those responsible remain free due to delays in the justice system. If the Minister of Justice were here, I would urge him: establish a special court or expedite these cases; otherwise, within four or five years, suppress this wave of contract killings. Personally, I propose that when murder is proven, the death penalty be mandatory. Without such measures, we cannot save this country. We cannot be silent while people are murdered in broad daylight.

¶ 03 On welfare, we speak of digitalization. Please link Divisional Secretariats and banks quickly. People collect welfare once in 10 or 11 months, while holding fixed deposits of Rs. 4–6 million in the same bank. Bank officers tell me this is unfair. We pay tax on our earnings while some draw Rs. 15,000 welfare despite wealth. This must stop. Welfare must go to those who truly need it. We will support practical solutions.

¶ 04 I did not come to Parliament for perks. It pains me to see Members’ privileges repeatedly cut. Many innocent MPs cannot even buy a vehicle today, nor can public servants; even a three-wheeler is unaffordable. Rationalize these matters; do not make us enemies of ourselves. On insurance, I do not need five types of cover personally, but ensure adequate cover for all Members because accidents happen; people’s lives matter. Increase the dignity of MPs; this is not about luxury, but practicality.

¶ 05 On the salary increases: if it is true, public servants must see the increase in their next month’s pay. As to this Budget, the Secretary to the Treasury is the same person who prepared budgets for Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe; he was thanked for preparing this one. I say: he prepared the Estimates but not the Revenue. Read it—there is expenditure but where is the revenue? We cannot see the direction of the country.

¶ 06 I commend the Transport Minister’s decision. From the private sector, the Metro company will bring 300 luxury buses soon for selected routes. The private sector and the SLTB must work together. We can discuss these practically at the relevant Committee. With time limited, I conclude: give people relief; reduce prices and fertilizer costs; support tea farmers; provide fertilizer subsidies. In Kalutara District, people rely on agriculture and have received no relief. Please address their needs. Thank you.