The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I will be brief as we have a vote to take.

¶ 02 Some Opposition Members spoke about the Easter attacks during this debate, showing they do not understand today’s business; the Easter debate is scheduled later. Now we must approve regulations laid on 17.03.2026 under the Army Act, Navy Act, and Air Force Act, and also approve the President’s Proclamation under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance bringing Part II into operation throughout Sri Lanka from 28 March 2026, and the Resolution under the Essential Public Services Act.

¶ 03 Emergency Regulations were first brought after Cyclone Ditva to temporarily empower the President, the Commissioner General of Essential Services, and designated officers to issue directions to state institutions and service providers, and to ensure uninterrupted distribution of fuel, food, electricity, water, and other essentials. The key figure was the Commissioner General of Essential Services.

¶ 04 Why extend now? As Minister Ananda Wijepala noted, we successfully brought the country out of the disaster, but relief and rehabilitation continue; people remain in shelters; housing repairs are ongoing. Hence, a further month under Emergency Regulations and the Essential Public Services Resolution is sought.

¶ 05 Previously, emergency was used to suppress people and curb free speech. We used it solely to help people and provide relief. Therefore, in my view, a division is unnecessary, though it is the Opposition’s right.

¶ 06 According to “Freedom in the World 2026,” Sri Lanka improved by 52 points compared to 2024 regarding political rights and civil liberties, including freedom of speech and media. At a time when global freedoms have declined for 20 consecutive years, Sri Lanka has moved up, demonstrating our Government’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Bringing emergency for disaster response has not harmed freedoms.

¶ 07 Beyond Ditva, there is a degree of global emergency: the Iran–US tensions have impacted supply chains; fuel and gas prices have risen globally. Even with a fragile ceasefire, incidents continue. We must navigate these uncertainties. Gas and fuel price increases burden our people; as a government we act to minimize the pain.

¶ 08 After Ditva, we spent Rs. 50 billion on relief. Historically, no government paid compensation as systematically as we did: Rs. 5 million to rebuild houses, Rs. 5 million if a land was needed, Rs. 1 million for bereaved families, and so on—from tax revenues, not by printing money or borrowing. The President has also approved a Rs. 10 billion targeted relief package. Due to higher fuel prices and drought-driven thermal generation, the Government will bear the additional power generation cost for three months instead of passing it to consumers using under 90 units. We are sharing the burden with the people.

¶ 09 Targeted fuel support: for one-day fishing boats—25 liters per day up to 25 days per month at Rs. 50 per liter for three months; for multi-day boats—a one-time Rs. 150,000 grant for the next three months. If fuel were priced strictly at cost, petrol would exceed Rs. 625 and diesel Rs. 600 per liter; the Government is absorbing part of the cost.

¶ 10 Fertilizer support for Yala has been increased: the Rs. 25,000 per hectare for paddy to Rs. 30,000; and for other crops from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 18,000 per hectare. For welfare beneficiaries in April 2026: Rs. 7,500 for the extreme poor, Rs. 5,000 for the poor, and Rs. 2,500 for transitional families—targeted support.

¶ 11 The current fuel challenges arise from Middle East conflict, unlike 2022 when the Treasury was empty. Now we can pay, but ships are fewer and prices higher. We are cushioning the shock where we can because we stand with the people.

¶ 12 I appeal to the Opposition to show basic human compassion; do not hunt for political gain in people’s suffering. If you cannot help, do not hinder. Thank you.