The Hon. Imran Maharoof

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

¶ 02 As we celebrated the 77th Independence Day yesterday, we must ask whether people truly enjoy freedom. The Government that came to power promising constitutional change—reducing Presidential powers and strengthening Parliament—has 159 Members. Why is nothing being said or done now about those promised changes?

¶ 03 Ministers’ statements have become global talking points—just as during COVID, when some claimed Dhammika paniya could protect against infection and believed that releasing pots of blessed water into rivers would stop COVID. Today, similarly absurd remarks risk pushing the country into irrational politics.

¶ 04 On the rice shortage, some say it is because rice is being fed to certain animals; on eggs, that a yellowish defect causes scarcity; on coconut sambol shortages, that it is due to excess consumption. Are these Ministers having issues, or are they deliberately misleading the public?

¶ 05 A Minister even spoke recently about keeping squirrels in the forests happy. But are our people happy? In agriculture, recent floods in the Eastern Province destroyed crops. Did the Government provide timely compensation? Only today is a farm-gate price for paddy announced, after months of delay.

¶ 06 Please, Ministers and Members of this Government, stop politicking by blaming the Opposition. Someone said the Opposition claimed fuel would be sold at Rs. 100; who said that? Who said Rs. 50 of every Rs. 100 of fuel revenue would go into private pockets? If you want to do politics, understand that you now hold power—use it to deliver change.

¶ 07 You also claim to catch thieves and the corrupt, but by doing so selectively, you are reviving the popularity of people whom the public had forgotten. Do this properly.

¶ 08 At every election, the Easter attacks are invoked. You must take credible action to identify and bring to justice the masterminds behind the Easter attacks. You yourselves made many statements on this previously. The attacks reshaped politics and society. You and your leader understand this. Therefore, find the masterminds. Thank you.