The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga

¶ 01 You did that in your time; we remember. Do not make us recall all of it. Back then, the forces lost mental strength and focus. Now that is no more. Please also ensure the Opposition gets accurate briefings. We are increasing local and foreign training for service personnel and enabling UN peacekeeping participation. The 2026 Budget includes the public service salary increases for the tri-forces as well.

¶ 02 Some call to reduce the military presence in the North and East. I have here a document listing community services provided there by the Army, Navy and Air Force in 2025—support to all religious places, schools, housing, dry rations, school equipment, dialysis machines, reverse osmosis plants, assistance to annual religious festivals like Kachchativu and Palaitivu, potable water in Delft, RO plants to areas lacking drinking water, etc. The presence of the tri-forces is a great relief to the people there; they themselves tell us they need the forces. The Opposition has no other ground now—they cannot rely on corruption because we have halted it and instituted sound financial management—so they stoke nationalism like crocodiles in a muddy lake, to return to power. For 76 years they did the same. We tell the people, there is no issue with national security. The Defence and Public Security Ministries have stabilized peace and will continue to do so.