The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to take part in this debate. I also thank the people of the Yatiyantota electorate and the Kegalle District for electing me again, and our Leader Hon. Sajith Premadasa and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

¶ 02 We debate the Throne Speech of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. We have seen many Presidents present policy statements here. None, to our knowledge, completed even 20 percent of what they pledged. I pray that President Dissanayake will be able to complete at least 80 percent of what he has presented.

¶ 03 However, when Ministers spoke today, they did not present any immediate, short-term measures to address the people’s economic hardships. You spoke endlessly in Opposition about inflation and people’s suffering. Today prices of essentials rise daily; rice prices too are soaring, with some varieties like Nadu hardly available. You now say you will import rice and even allow the private sector to import. But I draw Ministers’ attention: as far as I know, wholesalers asking Customs were told a Rs. 65 duty applies. With such duty, you cannot sell to consumers at promised or controlled prices. There will be no benefit to consumers.

¶ 04 On SMEs: due to past economic measures and other issues, hundreds of thousands of small industries have closed. Yet no immediate revival programme has been announced. If you sincerely wish to lift SMEs, reduce cost inputs — especially electricity, which is critical not just for small industries but all factories. You promised to reduce tariffs and grant relief, but two months on, nothing has happened. The Public Utilities Commission has twice asked the Power and Energy Ministry for the data necessary to revise tariffs; yet recommendations are still not provided. You repeatedly said people and industries cannot bear these bills and that you would grant relief upon coming to power. I regret the lack of swift action.

¶ 05 Lastly, many MPs here represent the plantation sector. The Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure is present. Yet no one has spoken on estate workers’ wages. The former President declared the daily wage should be Rs. 1,700; but after six months of talks, no action plan was implemented — only discussions. Twenty-two estate companies say they will raise the daily wage to Rs. 1,350, or adjust via over-kilos. I urge the Minister: deliver the Rs. 1,700 allowance promptly for the suffering estate workers. Thank you for the time.