The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Mr. Chairman, I move that under the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill 2026, on Saturday, 2025.11.15, the recurrent and capital expenditure of each Programme under Heads 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 be reduced by Rs. 10 in accordance with tradition.

¶ 02 Thank you for the opportunity. Today we consider the Head of the President and many key institutions, including Parliament.

¶ 03 First, let me say we welcome the move yesterday where you increased relief for Malaiyaha people; we will fully support allocating funds accordingly, including at Committee Stage.

¶ 04 Our issue is different: the list of companies and their dividends for 2024–2025 shows many earned over a billion. They could have contributed Rs. 5–6 billion without difficulty to workers. I will place the report in the Library.

¶ 05 On plantations, rather than ad-hoc benefits, a proper, universal approach across companies—including small estates—is needed.

¶ 06 Another matter: Yesterday, ITAK Members abstained at the Second Reading of the Budget. The Hon. Shanakkian explained reasons tied to decades of unfulfilled promises on Tamil issues by successive Presidents, eroding trust. Meanwhile, there is no clear roadmap on a new constitution or electoral reforms.

¶ 07 I request, with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the House present, that a Special Parliamentary Committee be appointed on Provincial Councils and the electoral system. Under former PM Dinesh Gunawardena there was such a committee; it has lapsed. A new Committee under the PM or Leader of the House should be established. The President asked for a law to hold PC elections; Government must bring it. The Hon. Shanakkian has already presented the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Bill, gazetted on 16 May 2025.