The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Mr. Chairman, in this debate on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, we believe the Ministry bears full responsibility to protect consumers, promote trade, and ensure food security. Consumer protection requires: a strengthened legal framework, consumer education and awareness, effective grievance redress, product safety standards, fair advertising and marketing practices, data privacy and cybersecurity, and strong monitoring and enforcement. If we fortify these pillars, we can truly protect consumers.

¶ 02 On trade promotion: we must improve ease of doing business; expand export promotion and market access; support MSMEs and startups; develop infrastructure; enhance innovation and digital commerce; build consumer confidence; and strengthen public–private collaboration. With these, we can deliver effective trade promotion.

¶ 03 On food security: in January 2025, the official poverty line indicates Rs. 16,334 per person per month; roughly Rs. 65,336 for a family of four. With current prices — e.g., a 400g packet of imported milk powder rising by Rs. 50 in April (from Rs. 1,050 to Rs. 1,100) — can a family of four live on Rs. 65,336 while meeting both food and non-food needs? We must review the methodology of the poverty line; policy must be data-driven, and wrong data lead to wrong policies.

¶ 04 On Aswesuma: baseline scientific surveys were not properly done; beneficiary selection and exclusion had serious issues. We urge a fair, evidence-based approach.

¶ 05 MSMEs — contributing perhaps 60–70% to GDP — face debt overhang, CRIB listings, penalty and default interest accumulated across the triple shock of Easter attacks, bankruptcy crisis, and COVID-19. Temporary suspension of parate is not a solution. We need durable debt resolution and rehabilitation for MSMEs who employ millions.

¶ 06 On international trade relations under your purview: Sri Lanka has ISFTA, PSFTA, SLSFTA, SAFTA, APTA, and pending/planned agreements (with Thailand, China, India ETCA, Bangladesh, etc.). What is the Government’s trade policy and negotiating capacity? Do we have a strong technical team for rigorous cost–benefit analyses and for capturing comparative advantages? I propose appointing a Sri Lanka Trade Representative (like the USTR) with a technical team to identify, model, and negotiate beneficial FTAs.

¶ 07 On GSP Plus with the EU: we support retaining it, regardless of who is in Government, because it strengthens industries, jobs, and exports. What is your strategy to secure and sustain it?

¶ 08 On the US GSP (Generalized System of Preferences): Sri Lanka previously enjoyed duty-free access for 3,451 products to the US market, which lapsed in December 2020. I see no significant diplomatic initiative to restore it. We recognize the challenge in the current US policy environment, but we stand ready to support a national effort to regain preferential access, which will boost exports, industry, and employment.

¶ 09 We must also think anew: beyond GDP, poverty rates, inflation, unemployment, trade and balance of payments — consider measuring Gross National Happiness (GNH) to capture true well-being. A random street survey today would reveal widespread hardship; let us make policy that improves lived happiness.

¶ 10 Finally, do not neglect MSMEs who sustain millions; craft a concrete programme for their relief and revival. Thank you.