The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, Government Members expressed many views, often contradictory. You speak of tourism but then want music shows stopped at 10 p.m. and restaurants closed, without a clear framework to implement such rules.

¶ 02 Still, I appreciate that, though delayed, you have set a price for paddy. I avoid calling it “fair” because you campaigned promising Rs. 130–150 per kilo. Now you have given Rs. 120—late, but done.

¶ 03 The State Minister, who once protested with betel leaves, said costs would be added to the paddy price. Those farmers who gave you betel leaves are forgotten. Also, by the time you fixed prices, 20–30% of the Maha harvest had already been sold at Rs. 80–110 per kilo. Why the delay?

¶ 04 On vehicles: when President Ranil Wickremesinghe was in office, he outlined timelines. But on the campaign trail you promised vehicles for Rs. 1.2 million. Now you have a strange formula with forced sales and penalties if not sold. Will vehicles be available for Rs. 1.2 million?

¶ 05 I questioned the Prime Minister on coconuts. Your previous claims blamed “relief packs” for shortages; then you blamed coconut sambol and kirihodi. Though the PM did not mention those now, I welcome a more reasoned answer and actions ahead.

¶ 06 On unemployment—where is your jobs plan? The President visits villages, which is fine, but villagers now want solutions, not questions. You keep saying it has been only months; earlier you said 20 days, then 80, then 100. Time will tell; we will raise specifics when appropriate.

¶ 07 On the 300 containers reportedly released: where are the clear answers? The subject Minister claims responsibility and “knows where they are.” Customs is under Finance, not Ports. If there was port congestion, take a lawful decision; we do not object. But tell Parliament what those 323 containers were, where they went, and for whom. Silence breeds suspicion.

¶ 08 On the Provincial Council Elections court ruling: the Cabinet Spokesman claimed one thing; the Speaker clarified otherwise. Do not twist facts and then blame the Opposition when exposed.

¶ 09 On USAID: the US has reportedly reviewed some programmes after administration changes. Many NGOs here have received USAID funding over recent years. What is the Government’s position? Are you reviewing these, or saying it is not our concern? Funds flowed into Sri Lanka; the Government must state its stance.