The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

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

¶ 02 We are debating the Fiscal Strategy Statement aimed at achieving Sri Lanka’s medium-term public finance goals for 2026–2030. A nation—or a household—needs stability, and economic stability is essential. Our economic stability collapsed in 2022, and on 12 April 2022 the country was declared bankrupt. People suffered a severe crisis; even lines for essentials formed. Those in power then were chased away.

¶ 03 In this context, in September last year, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected President. He took charge of a bankrupt, crisis-stricken, unstable country, where even banks and services were faltering. The foremost pledge was to rescue the country from that state, restore stability, and lay the foundation for growth. Looking back at seven months of effort, we see a satisfactory situation: the economy that was faltering has stabilized. Indicators—banking, exchange rate movements, stock market—are on a steadier path. We used the opportunity of the last seven months to bring the country here. Past governments’ policies led to crisis: lack of transparency, certainty, policies, planning—and rampant corruption that devoured the economy—across the public and private sectors, SriLankan Airlines, Salt Corporation, and more. From such conditions, we have brought recovery and stability.

¶ 04 Laws are crucial to safeguard stability. People face many challenges. Earlier, though many were ready to help rebuild, investors shunned Sri Lanka due to instability. Today in the North, thousands from the Tamil diaspora are coming forward to invest. In Kilinochchi alone, 20 diaspora investors approached us seeking land to develop the area. A friend from Denmark asked for 50 acres to solve the egg shortage with large-scale poultry farms and transfer know-how, especially in Kilinochchi, his hometown. Another from Denmark asked for land to produce export-oriented vegetables and to cultivate coconut. In the industrial zone we are developing, many are coming forward with multi-billion-dollar proposals. Those who once feared to come now wish to invest. That is our success. Seven months after we assumed office, many are coming forward—this is welcome.

¶ 05 As we move to achieve the 2026–2030 economic targets, we are discussing the problems and challenges the country faces, and how to overcome them, with committed Ministers, offering our fullest contribution.

¶ 06 I must also address the Chemmany mass grave issue raised last week. It is a sensitive matter. The Krishanthi rape and murder case was investigated for years; convictions were handed down. In repeated excavations at Chemmany, remains are being identified; investigations must proceed. Our Government has allocated funds for the Chemmany excavations. Recently, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk visited Sri Lanka and saw the site; we requested the necessary forensic mechanisms to examine remains.

¶ 07 At an event I attended, a small group of 10–15 people shouted slogans against us, orchestrated by certain politicians. The local people are not to blame. A Cabinet Minister visiting problem sites confers recognition and priority to resolve them, but some gutter-level politicians tried to bury that. They drove us away; the videos are on YouTube. We are not people who run away from such issues. The 1996 Krishanthi case predates our entry to Parliament; we had no involvement. Some political traders exploit it, including social media operators seeking views and income. That Chemmany crowd was their camp—not a genuine public protest.

¶ 08 We clearly stated that proper inquiries and action would be taken regarding the Chemmany mass grave. Those who engineered that incident are to blame. We approach this sincerely. Our Government is releasing lands in the Northern Province, opening roads, rehabilitating village roads and tanks for the people’s benefit. People are rallying to the National People’s Power; those who cannot tolerate it resort to ethnic and parochial politics, not thinking of the nation—some even laughed when the economy collapsed, and now try to frighten the Tamil people. Our motto is: “Let those who praise, praise; let those who scold, scold; our path is straight.” We are uniting people across the country, embracing the Tamils in the North. Thank you.