The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, I am pleased to speak today on the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and on Justice and National Integration.

¶ 02 On foreign employment, I commend your proposal for a contributory pension and social protection scheme for overseas workers. I have also submitted a Private Member’s Bill on this, now included as Proposal 43 in the policy book. Thank you for adopting my proposal.

¶ 03 Regarding tourism, Matale District is a tourism hub. At the Advisory Committee meeting in November 2024, I noted that funding had been received under World Bank assistance to develop the Knuckles conservation tourism zone, and divisional secretaries and others had been trained. However, those funds appear to be stuck. Please implement the good-governance-era proposal.

¶ 04 I must also clarify a matter from last week. I could not attend the vote on the Second Reading of the Budget due to a personal reason. It was not a boycott. Some misrepresented this on social media.

¶ 05 I also read the statement made yesterday by my learned friend Hon. Ajith P. Perera; it is correct. What I expressed was my personal view, not the SJB’s position. We are lawmakers; when problems arise in drafting, we must discuss and correct them to bring forward sound proposals. That is what I did.

¶ 06 I live among estate communities. Around my home are lands of Alakaduwa Plantation on one side, and on the other, a Dots Plantation company. I have no issue supporting an increase in benefits for estate workers, provided it is done legally. This House must be used to design lawful mechanisms, not to sling mud.

¶ 07 Many asked about the SJB’s position; the Leader of the Opposition has clarified it. My position is that we must stop misleading estate workers with false promises.

¶ 08 I wish to table the report published in the Sunday Times of 16.11.2025 titled: “AG upholds supremacy of PFMA over ACA — The Attorney-General has ruled that all state financial transactions must follow the Public Financial Management Act.” It means all institutions must act under the 2024 No. 44 Public Financial Management Act. The Speaker had sought the AG’s opinion on funding the Bribery Commission; the AG’s reply emphasizes the PFMA’s supremacy. I am asking the Auditor-General, the National Procurement Commission, and the Bribery Commission whether the proposed payments comply. If wrong, correct them. We must devise a lawful mechanism to help estate workers. The AG says the 2024 No. 44 PFMA is the highest law governing state finances. I table the letters sent to the Auditor-General, the National Procurement Commission, and the Bribery Commission.

¶ 09 My view is also to raise the daily wage component from Rs. 1,700 to Rs. 2,000, not only to workers in the 22 selected private companies with more than 25 days’ work, but also to others — not just guards, tappers, or a few factory staff. This allowance should not be limited only to those with 25 days; others should benefit.

¶ 10 Small and medium estate holders contribute 75% to the tea economy. Do not exclude them; they too should receive the allowance.

¶ 11 There are about 480,000 estate workers; 21 profitable plantations employ about 101,000, and fewer than 50,000 work 25 days; perhaps only around 20,000. Then 460,000 will be excluded from the allowance. Many suffer malnutrition, live under leaky roofs, and in flooded floors. We must ensure fairness to all. That is why I asked for a mechanism within the law to include everyone where possible.

¶ 12 Finally, the funds for this come from the Consolidated Fund and must be lawful. If not, I will ask the Auditor-General whether the relevant signatories — the Secretary to the Line Ministry, the Director-General of Budget, and company heads — would be liable. If the Auditor-General says it is lawful, then pay — not Rs. 1,700 but Rs. 2,000 — and not only to those with 25 days but to all estate workers, including with SJB support. But do not exploit workers’ genuine issues for political gain.

¶ 13 I will always stand for estate workers. Even if I am maligned, I will fight until a proper mechanism is in place. The worst-off are not necessarily those in the 21 main companies.

¶ 14 On education reforms, build a society that can comprehend what is read, not only read and write. I note that the Foreign Affairs Minister could not properly interpret a Sinhala letter, which shows why comprehension matters. I conclude here.

¶ 15 Thank you.