The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I also wish all Members, the Hon. Secretary-General and staff, and all Sri Lankans a Happy New Year.

¶ 02 The people, as a result of long sacrifices, have given the National People’s Power a great mandate to build a “prosperous country and a beautiful life.” All parties in Parliament must shoulder responsibility for creating our people’s tomorrow. The Legislature’s primary function is lawmaking for the common good. However, some past rulers made laws that did not reflect 100% of public aspirations and seemed to favour their cronies, causing public opposition.

¶ 03 Today we debate several Orders and a Regulation under a few Acts. Studying them, we find more progressive, beneficial legal measures for the country and people. Unlike before, we are eager to approve them with a people-centric approach.

¶ 04 On the Colombo Port City Project—once seen by some as a blessing, then as a Trojan horse, then as a wealth source—the responsibility now is to develop the legal framework, attract FDI, and derive maximum benefit. There are 118 plots: 28 owned by the Government of Sri Lanka, 46 by the Chinese company, and 44 common-use areas. There are 74 marketable plots. We can use this land to promote investment projects, international trade, banking, and tourism, and empower the relevant institution to build the platforms needed for the economy. Accordingly, under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021, via Gazette 2394/68, the management and administration of common property within Port City are vested in the Commission. This progressive step enables swift facilitation for co-development constructions and opens the platform rapidly for investors.

¶ 05 This also revives our construction sector by creating opportunities, jobs, preventing brain drain, increasing dollar inflows, and boosting tourism.

¶ 06 Socrates said, if one does not have a suitable State, there are two options: obey the laws, or leave the country. Previous rulers openly encouraged brain drain. Our NPP Government is creating “quality of life” so that our people—youth, middle-aged and elderly—return. Ensuring food safety and consumer rights is essential to that.

¶ 07 Some officials once said, “A little poison is okay.” That is unacceptable. Hence, under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969, by Extraordinary Gazette 2384/35, regulations now list 34 items that previously lacked SLS certification under Schedule 1(a), and many others are re-standardized. Under 1(b), newly brought under SLS are items like whole red lentils, cosmetics, soaps, plastic bottles, lamps and toys. Without proper standards, such imports harm public health and quality of life. These regulations allow testing, rejection and re-export at ports, backed by bank guarantees—protecting consumers.

¶ 08 In every Sri Lankan home, at least one daily meal involves lentils; hotels too. Our most popular food is rice; the second is dhal. Only now are whole red lentils being brought under SLS standards. Earlier, issues arose—artificial colouring, pesticides, preservatives. The Consumer Affairs Authority conducted raids. With these regulations, unsuitable consignments can be turned back more efficiently.

¶ 09 There is also a craze for skin-lightening. Large volumes of cosmetics are imported, causing dermatological clinics to overflow due to substandard products. Now, only standard-compliant cosmetics can be used. Likewise, SLS standards will apply to plastic baby bottles and other liquid bottles we all use. Toys too will be standardized, preventing harmful substances from entering children’s bodies or the environment.

¶ 10 Finally, the only Government that will build the Sri Lanka people hoped for is this National People’s Power Government. If you can tell beautiful stories about 100 days, file one court case on it; for the previous 100 days, we could file 100 cases.

¶ 11 Thank you.