The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, a Budget is a policy document that presents a country’s economic policy. Through it, society can see what benefits or drawbacks may come—to their communities, businesses, and economic development efforts. In that regard, the plantation community follows this Budget keenly. The President’s announcement on wage increases gave them happiness. I think this is the first time in history that the Budget directly raises the plantation workers’ wage by Rs. 200. We thank the Hon. President.

¶ 02 Many NPP Members spoke today about the most backward community in this country—the plantation community—showing concern and sympathy. The Hon. Minister (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj is present; I believe she understands this well.

¶ 03 Sympathy alone is not enough; it must succeed. Please tell your President to ensure this happens. He promised Rs. 200 per day extra from the companies and another Rs. 200 from the Government for plantation workers. Some oppose the Government’s Rs. 200. We do not agree with such opposition. If anyone speaks against benefits to our people, we oppose that. We came here because of our people and their votes. If any harm comes to them, we are against it. Some may say they can vote tomorrow, but if they say the pay will be given only if one works 25 days a month, that is wrong; we do not agree. There is now a condition in some companies about 25 days of attendance; some give only 20 days’ work and then cut wages for not meeting 25. That is not right.

¶ 04 [Interruption by The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe and response omitted by request of the Hon. Member to the Chair.]

¶ 05 I request that even if plantation workers work just one day, the Rs. 200 Government attendance incentive must be mandatorily paid, guaranteed by the Government.

¶ 06 Under the previous administration—after COVID and Gotabaya’s rule—the country’s growth fell to -7. The current Government has raised it to +4. This is good; we appreciate it.

¶ 07 The Budget allocates Rs. 500 million to ease traffic in Hatton. We too made such allocations previously. Everyone has built roads—Rajapaksa, Gotabaya, Chandrika; you also are building roads. That is very good. At your Ministry’s Head during Committee Stage I will raise my questions and decide my vote accordingly.

¶ 08 There are two matters: social justice and social welfare. Social justice must be equal—no different standards for rich/poor or castes or religions; Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Christian—all must have equal justice. Social welfare must reach the underprivileged without discrimination; reduce poverty; increase production; reduce imports; increase domestic income; then deliver benefits. You now say “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life.” To achieve this, income must rise. Sri Lanka, though an island, has all resources. With these, we can develop—especially tourism, which is now earning well, aided by India—a close, rising power and helpful neighbor. Being next to such a country, Sri Lanka should advance quickly. The Government is taking steps to eradicate corruption—we appreciate that. Even in India I heard, “Your President is eliminating corruption; we wish we had such a person.” To eradicate corruption, we need cooperation from officials.

¶ 09 One more major issue: though the war ended in 2009 and Mahinda Rajapaksa was hailed then, if he had brought a solution at that moment, the Sinhala people would have accepted it. He did not. Even now, there is an opportunity, as the President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka has a two-thirds with 159 MPs. Just as you speak with sympathy for plantation workers, speak for the North and East too and bring a solution. As a first step, conduct Provincial Council elections. The PC system may not be a full solution to Tamil issues, but it is a step. The President said funds are allocated but there are legal issues; Parliament can solve legal issues. If 159 vote, the law will pass, whether or not we support. Hold the PC elections, devolve power, give priority to their voices. PCs are for Sinhalese too, not only Tamils.

¶ 10 I have served thrice as Central Province Education Minister. PCs are vital for solving people’s issues and devolving power. I request that PC elections be held soon. Thank you.