The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we are experiencing a new political culture. The people did not give us power to continue superficial, traditional governance that patches over problems. Our journey to establish this Government was long, planned, and built with large-scale public engagement. Old regimes tried various tactics to push us off our chosen path, but we stayed the course and formed this administration. Now the Opposition is in a hurry to push us out quickly. But we have already won the first victory of changing political culture. We also know we must change the economy with a sound, well-planned programme—aligned with the world and the future—working with the international community while strengthening the domestic economy, ensuring a smooth transition and stabilization. We achieved political change not abruptly but through broad dialogue and building consensus. Likewise, we will expand the economy and increase benefits to the people through a well-calibrated turn, protecting entrepreneurs and international relations.