The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, the Minister spoke on national security. I ask: Is the incident at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee conducive or detrimental to national security? The temple was established in 1951, registered with the Department of Buddhist Affairs in 2010, and received a deed for the sacred land in 2014. Thereafter, a crisis arose, and the Police became removers of Buddha statues. What right do you have to remove a Buddha statue? Thankfully, understanding prevailed and it was returned and re-installed.

¶ 02 I raise this because we acknowledge the primacy given to Buddhism as well as due respect to other religions. In such sensitive contexts, we need a National Integration Committee established and led by the President to intervene swiftly. Such issues should not be left solely to the Police. Leadership must resolve them. We have, as true Buddhists, spoken up when other religions faced such issues.

¶ 03 Therefore, I propose that the Amarapura Maha Nikaya Mahanayake Thero, leading the Maha Sangha, be invited to the Presidential Secretariat along with all stakeholders to resolve the issue. Do not avoid it—leadership must resolve it. Similar issues exist elsewhere; we should provide structured solutions—protecting peace, coexistence, unity, and true freedom.

¶ 04 Police have no right to storm temples, assault monks, or decide on Dhamma school operations where there is a valid land deed. Please intervene immediately.

¶ 05 I also want to emphasize our debt to the heroic Tri-Forces, Police, and Civil Security—protectors of sovereignty and unity. Yet today, there are three major problems facing disabled war heroes. Some of those families are present here.

¶ 06 According to the 2025 Budget, Public Administration Circular 15/2025 revised pensions of all public and armed services. However, Pensions Circular 02/2025 states that ex-servicemen of the Tri-Forces, Police and STF who retired and receive pay and allowances up to age 55, as well as widows/widowers of deceased officers, are not entitled to this pension revision. The Director General of Pensions has sent circulars to District and Divisional Secretaries rejecting the entitlement, contrary to the Budget proposal. Is the DG of Pensions above the President? How can he reject the President’s proposal?

¶ 07 He says because they receive allowances up to age 55, they are not entitled to pension revision. The President says entitled; the DG says not. Who is supreme? This needs leadership. This is a 2025 approved Budget proposal. Implement it immediately. Under Circular 12/86, those medically boarded are entitled to special pay and pension. Yet, by the DG’s discretion, pension revisions are being cancelled. How is this possible?

¶ 08 Second issue: After age 55, a fixed allowance is paid to parents and widows of disabled or deceased war heroes—25% to parents and 75% to widows. Now we hear these fixed allowances have been suspended for many, and for those turning 55 in 2025, the government is moving to stop them. Do not do this. Our democracy was protected and terrorism defeated by these heroes. Do not be unjust.

¶ 09 Also, for those missing in action due to operations or accidents—tsunami, air crashes, or industrial accidents—entitlements were paid. Now the DG of Pensions speculates that the missing might return and uses that to stop fixed allowances to parents and widows. Similarly, if the death occurred outside an active area, they deny allowances, citing reasons such as aircraft accidents in non-active areas, tsunami, or disappearances during the JVP unrest. Even where allowances are due, payments are delayed.

¶ 10 Third issue: Some, after age 55, did not receive pension revisions because of delays in being produced before Medical Boards, often due to administrative delays. Denying pension revisions or disability pay on that basis is unfair. Resolve these progressively.

¶ 11 Hon. Chairman: Hon. Leader of the Opposition, you have two more minutes.

¶ 12 Please allow me a little more time, Hon. Chairman.

¶ 13 In opposition, many talk with war heroes and agree to their demands, but forget once in power. Those who sacrificed limbs, organs, their families—do justice to them. I place all relevant documents in the Library.

¶ 14 The Minister said steps are being taken against drugs—we welcome that. But implement them impartially and transparently, as Hon. Nalin Bandara said.

¶ 15 Another cancer is online loan mafias. Recently, in Galagedara, Andanagalla, a young woman named Imaya Sewwandi took her life due to this mafia. Foreign-funded entities, with local partners, run illegal operations—online loan mafias. We have raised this before, but solutions are unclear. They are raided, then resume.

¶ 16 For example, “Megafin Lanka” via “Megacash” allegedly charged 500% interest. People suffer due to poverty and lack of access to funds. I will publicly name several entities: MegaFin Lanka, OnCredit, Asage Development Ltd, Armour Solutions, Supermoney, Resplendent Pearls (Pvt.) Ltd, Digital Money, SF Group, AIS IT Consulting Services, Isso Fin, Zong Technologies, ATM Online Technologies, Avatar Fintec Lanka, Embracing Ltd., Ceylontech Lanka, FastRupee Ltd, Fintech Software, and AV Business Solutions. I propose you raid and shut these illegal entities.

¶ 17 They even forge Central Bank letterheads to threaten borrowers, sharing borrowers’ photos with employers when a payment is late by a day. Do not trivialize this—it affects hundreds of thousands. I place a forged Central Bank letter in the Library.

¶ 18 We are not blaming you; as you fight drug traffickers, also destroy this online loan mafia. Enact laws against these illegal outfits and establish a special unit to stop their extortion and intimidation tactics—harassing families, mass-calling, and public shaming. We will fully support this.

¶ 19 Another point: December 11, 12, 13 are declared “Sri Lankan Day,” intended to promote unity and reconciliation. Rs. 300 million is allocated. But a seven-day tender process for Rs. 300 million raises concerns. Proper quality-and-cost-based selection and pre-bid meetings are needed. Instead of spending Rs. 300 million on events, allocate those funds to compensation for the missing and genuine reconciliation activities. Do not funnel it through hurried tenders to cronies. Engage with “Bahu Jana Bala” organization which raised these concerns.

¶ 20 Thank you, Hon. Chairman.