The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, first, best wishes to you and the new Government. I also thank all our SLPP members and supporters who stood with us in the recent elections.

¶ 02 The President presented his policy outline here and today’s debate is about that. At first glance, there is some linkage between that statement and what was presented during the campaign. However, the Government now intends to implement policies agreed during the election that helped bring 159 MPs and win the Presidency, as well as policies agreed with the IMF. We therefore must ask: the President’s speech says taxes should be reduced, yet on the other hand, there is talk of proceeding with what was agreed with the IMF.

¶ 03 If you are proceeding per the IMF program, how will you implement these seemingly contradictory statements? Also, you plan to increase State revenue by LKR 500 billion over last year. How will you raise that? By further increasing taxes indefinitely? You also say you will reduce taxes. If not through taxes, what are your plans for non-tax revenue?

¶ 04 You spoke on tourism — fine. But do we have the capacity to bring 3 million tourists? To handle 3 million, airports may need to handle 15–20 million passengers. Can you complete Katunayake Phase II within a year? Or are these impractical plans?

¶ 05 Regarding the recent floods, we saw the challenges faced by farmers. You announced LKR 40,000 for total damage. What about partial damages? Though there were references to hundreds of millions for partial damages, there is no mention of allocated funds or plans. At one point you said you would not import rice, but now you talk about importing rice. Those who once took to the streets for farmers are now silent. When the Maha harvest arrives, imported rice will also arrive, affecting prices. Floods have badly harmed cultivation in the North and East.

¶ 06 So, first, people want clarity: is your economic policy Ranil Wickremesinghe’s IMF-aligned policy, or the one you presented during the Presidential and Parliamentary elections to build a prosperous nation? You must reach a clear conclusion; both are contradictory.

¶ 07 The President says the dignity of the 225 MPs must be protected — correct. But the greater onus lies on your 159 Members. It was you who, through various accusations, turned all 225 into “thieves” in the public eye. Now go and find the thieves. I will not challenge you today — I have done so before. If not in Uganda, go to any country and bring back any ill-gotten wealth. You said you would draft a law for this; do it urgently. Do not delay.

¶ 08 We are also watching for practical, implementable action plans to honor the promises made. You are eloquent; your political force has many good speakers — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was one of the best in the last Parliament, and now there are 159 such capable speakers. But are there 159 doers? Will you implement what you promised? The people and we in the Opposition are watching.

¶ 09 On the public service and protecting its dignity — digitalization is needed. But how will you fund that transformation? Court automation is necessary; the entire State machinery must be digitized. Yet one of the President’s advisers has said 600,000 public servants should be cut. Is that the Government’s position, or just the adviser’s? Earlier we saw contradictions between the party’s General-Secretary and the Government on the 13th Amendment and Provincial Councils; we also see contradictions between the IMF program and your manifesto. How will you implement a 600,000 reduction? Gradually? Will your own trade unions start that? What is your plan?

¶ 10 Digitization will change the public service quantitatively and qualitatively — we accept that. But how did you conclude that 600,000 should be cut, and how will you do it? We expect the Prime Minister to clarify in due course.

¶ 11 Lastly, in recent days we heard much about racism inside and outside Parliament. The Yahapalana Government also spoke similarly and ended up with terrorism. None of us supports racism. But do not allow the fight against racism to give rise again to terrorism. If someone engages in racism, enforce the law. But if your process causes terrorism to re-emerge, you must take responsibility.

¶ 12 We want a clear answer: will your policy follow Ranil Wickremesinghe’s IMF-aligned approach, or the policies you presented to the people in your manifesto?

¶ 13 Thank you.