The Hon. Ravindra Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, regarding Clean Sri Lanka, a Member said where the programme should begin. If he is listening, I say this House itself is a good place to start. He spoke about the electricity tariff reduction—who reduced it. The Government implemented the PUCSL decision; our policy document promised a 30% reduction. Those lecturing us now were the ones who sent home a PUCSL Chair who attempted to reduce tariffs back then.

¶ 02 Even schoolchildren here remember that during A/L time, despite orders not to cut power, it was cut. We also know what was done to former Chief Justices. Those are the ones lecturing today.

¶ 03 On starting points: they said begin in estate line rooms—indeed, we are building 4,000 houses this year, not just roads, but starting exactly there, for the people.

¶ 04 On bar permits: let it be remembered—our ministers will not grant such bar permits. Those who got them are the very ones now preaching. Clean Sri Lanka will change that. Those outside are also talking about electricity bills, and some preach to us while dining at restaurants at night, spreading blatant lies on microphones. Some even claim the credit for tariff cuts should not go to our Power Minister or PM. Recently we saw a said gentleman taking money from the President’s Fund meant for the poor; the list of Provincial Councillors is yet to be published—that too will come.

¶ 05 Dear children, you know why we implement Clean Sri Lanka. In many schools, especially girls, children do not drink water at school because of the condition of toilets, leading to illnesses. There are also harmful myths among students—for example, chewing betel or areca nut to improve memory. We must change such mindsets and protect children.

¶ 06 Tourism too requires proper sanitation. Tourists come here, but the toilets they want—often dry types—are not available. While they praise our hospitality and environment, due to the stress created over 76 years, people no longer say “thank you” or “sorry.” You changed people’s attitudes into constant stress. Buses blare horns excessively; drivers race dangerously—this culture was created by you.

¶ 07 You now talk about rice; the problem was created by you. We are strengthening the Paddy Marketing Board, reviving the eight storage complexes you abandoned. We will not leave these problems for the future. Some brought quotations and bluffed without understanding them.

¶ 08 Some also tried to slander artists who contributed to “system change,” naming people uninvolved with this programme. Using social media and channels, they hurled mud. Therefore we must clean all this, inside and outside. There are even former power ministers who coined “cheap ting-ting,” and became “cheap ping‑pong.” They were arch‑nationalists, more than the Rajapaksas. The people rejected them along with their failed ideologies. Some now only provide comic relief.

¶ 09 On fertilizer: while some lament about those who did not receive it, 90 percent did receive it. The Rs. 15,000 fertilizer support was increased to Rs. 25,000; medicine prices were reduced; cement was reduced by Rs. 100. Therefore, cleanse your hearts and recognize reality. Through Clean Sri Lanka we will uplift society.