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

¶ 01 Indeed. People now protest against the Opposition, not the Government—showing a weakened Opposition unable to mount even a proper critique.

¶ 02 Earlier it was claimed our President lacks diplomatic relations, recognizing only one country. Is it diplomacy merely to don a tie and speak English to a white man? Our President’s first state visit as President was to India in December 2024—meeting PM Narendra Modi and top officials on bilateral relations and development. In January 2025 he met President Xi Jinping to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and the digital economy. In February 2025 he paid a state visit to the UAE. In 2025 he also visited Vietnam, Germany, the Maldives, the USA, and Japan, each time securing technology and financing for development—not attending private graduation ceremonies at public expense.

¶ 03 Outcomes? Many, but briefly: under JICA, a grant of JPY 503 million to install 15 medical waste management units in 15 hospitals—launched in Trincomalee with our Health and Media Minister. On 1 September 2025, ADB approved USD 106.9 million to prevent disease spread; 20 ambulances were provided under ADB—each worth over Rs. 25.7 million. This is diplomatic engagement—not funding a spouse’s degree.

¶ 04 Under Indian assistance, over 2,000 of the 4,000 houses for estate communities are already completed. Japan granted USD 2.5 million for anti-corruption mechanisms—grants, not loans. Thus, the President has advanced international relations.

¶ 05 We also use public funds frugally. Comparing the President’s Office Heads for the first nine months of 2024 and 2025: total expenditure reduced from Rs. 857.5 million to Rs. 364.2 million—a 58% cut. Recurrent expenditure down from Rs. 715 million to Rs. 279 million—a 68% cut. On advisors and personal staff: reduced from Rs. 403 million to Rs. 145 million—a Rs. 258 million cut. Travel—domestic and foreign—reduced by 83%, from Rs. 95.5 million to Rs. 16 million.

¶ 06 Under General Administration and Institutional Services: total for first 9 months reduced from Rs. 1,887 million to Rs. 1,324 million—a 30% cut. Facilities to former Presidents reduced from Rs. 66 million to Rs. 41 million—a 38% cut.

¶ 07 We can table more data. To conclude: we are rebuilding the economy to create a prosperous country and better lives. We ask the Opposition to listen; if we are wrong, correct us—but set a limit to falsehoods and misleading the people. Do not abuse parliamentary privilege to spread lies and slander.

¶ 08 Under this Budget presented by the President, we will spend funds successfully and democratically. I also wished to speak on the CIABOC and its Chair coming under attack as they conclude cases—because thieves are panicking. But we are not.

¶ 09 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chair.