The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, we debate a Ministry that affects daily life at every level. People expected that with fraud and corruption stopped, this Ministry would deliver tangible benefits by the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Six months is said to be short, but your President promised to end the rice mafia “with one pen stroke.” Have you visited Keppetipola? You cannot go in ordinary clothes; the situation is unchanged. What was promised has not reached the suffering people.

¶ 02 Minister, you keep saying you will not protect thieves. Then arrest at least one of those named by our Deputy Minister who detailed huge frauds. Years have passed with files and accusations; yet no action. Even in the case of Deshabandu, he surrendered; he was not arrested.

¶ 03 We, too, once defended a Government here. Those we defended stole and left us unable to face the public. The same will befall you if you continue like this. In the past, while loudly decrying sugar, onion, and coconut oil scams in this Chamber, some then dined with the same accused in the parliamentary canteen. Officials can attest to it.

¶ 04 People voted for you to punish thieves. Now those thieves mock you: “Catch us if you can.” Why? Because Ranil Wickremesinghe knows everything about you, and you know everything about him. Together you have compromised the people’s rights. You say you travel modestly and have cut costs; if so, reduce rice and fuel prices further, and channel the savings to the poor who cannot afford three meals.

¶ 05 Thank you.