The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam

¶ 01 They said I had 14 minutes; now it is reduced!

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, in the 2025 Budget, Rs. 434 billion is allocated for defence, a 3 percent increase over last year, and Rs. 175 billion for public security and Parliamentary affairs. In the North and East, the police act on military instructions; we do not differentiate, so I include that with defence for my analysis.

¶ 03 There is also a significant salary hike for the military, 27–33 percent. This shows the Government is prioritizing and enhancing the defence forces, despite there being no war for 16–17 years, and despite a Budget deficit of 6.7 percent of GDP when the IMF target is 5.2 percent. Revenue must rise to 15.1 percent of GDP for the next IMF tranche. All this adds severe burden.

¶ 04 Defence has been prioritized over social welfare. Social welfare is slashed to Rs. 43 billion — down by Rs. 35 billion from last year — when the most vulnerable are struggling. Even the IMF urged enhancing social welfare. This harms vulnerable people across the country, particularly the Northern Province, which ranks last in provincial GDP.

¶ 05 Speakers before me argued for strengthening defence because Sri Lanka is an island, due to drugs, etc. Let us accept that at face value. If so, how do you explain this: Sri Lanka’s overall ratio is 1.5 soldiers per 100 civilians. But in Mullaitivu, there is at least one soldier for every two civilians. Of 20 Army divisions, 16 are based in the North and East. What is the security picture then? What is the demography of where you place the entire military? Tamil-speaking areas. What message are you giving? Who is the enemy? You came to power promising to rid racism; yet the same policy persists. How can you justify a 1:2 ratio in Mullaitivu? Do Tamils not feel like the enemy?

¶ 06 I am tired of repeating this. A young journalist covering Parliament told me he appreciates how strongly I speak for my people. But I feel burdened to speak only of my people’s problems; it seems I cannot contribute to the rest of the country because that is the burden placed on us. The Defence and Public Security Ministries most strongly drive home this message through their behaviour in the North and East. The allocation to Defence alone is enough for us to oppose this Budget. If you are genuine about system change, this must be the first area you address regarding the North and East.

¶ 07 The previous speaker represents Vanni, including Mullaitivu. He should be ashamed to justify a 1:2 ratio.

¶ 08 The defence establishment also employs preschool teachers. The Education Ministry pays Rs. 6,000; defence pays Rs. 30,000–40,000. In a war-affected, impoverished region, which job will one choose? By maintaining this disparity, you are militarizing education in the North and East. This must change.

¶ 09 I table two reports: one by Citizen Fact Check on the 1:2 ratio, and another by the Adayaalam Centre for Policy Research. The Northern Province overall is 1:10; Mullaitivu 1:2; Kilinochchi 1:4; the country 1.5:100. If you want to get rid of racism, start by changing this. You have instead increased the allocation. Despite raising this at the Consultative Committee and on the Floor, nothing has changed. Without changing this, saying you will rid racism is hogwash. We will call for a Division and vote against the Heads of Defence and Public Security. Thank you.