The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I am pleased to speak on the Heads of Expenditure of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs in the 2025 Budget debate.

¶ 02 The Ministry of Defence is the lead stakeholder in formulating and implementing strategic policies and plans to ensure a safe and territorially integral Sri Lanka. Under it, the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, and Air Force are led by professional Commanders. We have disciplined, strong Tri-Forces.

¶ 03 The world now has multiple wars: Russia–Ukraine, Israel–Hamas. We see the devastation on TV. It reminds us of our three-decade war, when people across North, South, East, West, and Central lived in fear—of bombs and suicide attacks. That war ended because of a strong, courageous Tri-Forces, Police, and Civil Defence Force. Today, too, we have such disciplined, skilled professionals in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Civil Security Department, and Coast Guard under Defence.

¶ 04 They have always contributed—during war, national crises, tsunami, floods, landslides—beyond their core duties, with professionalism and discipline.

¶ 05 No mother wants to send her child to war; yet mothers entrusted their children to defend the Motherland. Many sacrificed their lives, limbs, and youth for freedom. Thus, the Tri-Forces, Police, and Civil Defence are fields of great honour.

¶ 06 Sri Lanka is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, bilingual. Our national security rests on the harmony among these communities. Therefore, the NPP Government says we must build a “Sri Lankan nation,” putting aside religious and ethnic divisions. Those who made lying a profession now shed crocodile tears about national security—those who exposed intelligence to society, like with the Millennium City episode, threatening national security, now weep about it.

¶ 07 Our 30-year war did not arise spontaneously; politicians in North and South sowed communalism to gain and keep power; that fueled conflict. People in both regions do not need ethnic or religious divisions; these were politically created.

¶ 08 Sri Lanka is an island; for such a State, we must prioritize quality over mere numbers in the military. We need a maritime air capability. For narcotics interdiction, deploying naval vessels continuously is resource-intensive; if a small aircraft could surveil a sector around a stationed ship, we can monitor larger maritime zones efficiently and cue ships only when needed—a maritime air surveillance system is crucial.

¶ 09 Around 1999–2000, the Navy acquired vessels like “Sayura” enabling such capability, but the required aircraft were not procured due to political interference and politicization of the Forces then.

¶ 10 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I will conclude quickly. Many of our ships can host light aircraft—e.g., Gajabahu, Vijayabahu, Sidhurala, Sayurala. Navy ships like Samudura and Sagara also have such potential. We could not realize this due to excessive political meddling in the Forces. Under an NPP Government, with zero corruption and no political interference in the military, we will build a technologically advanced, strong Tri-Forces.

¶ 11 Sri Lanka is responsible for SAR operations over a maritime area about 26 times our landmass, and coordinating rescues there, so we must technically strengthen the Forces. Our Exclusive Economic Zone is about seven times our land area; protecting its marine resources is our duty.

¶ 12 In the 2025 Budget, funds have been allocated for Wave Rider boats, medium-speed patrol boats, naval refits, purchase of Y-12 aircraft, acquisition of US-made Coast Guard vessels, and for essential national security capacity within the Tri-Forces. We are building a country where national security will not collapse at the blow of a flower petal. There is no issue for national security. Thank you.