The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, first a correction: it was said the Moratuwa Municipal Council Budget was defeated. The budget is yet to come; please do not take my time. Let me clarify: the defeats mentioned were in certain Pradeshiya Sabhas and in cooperative society polls—not the Moratuwa Municipal budget.

¶ 02 If there are grievances, they can be presented to the Hon. Speaker. On the allegation of insulting a woman: the Women’s Caucus exists; at any time if a woman MP is treated unfairly, we can speak. I do not accept that such an insult was made as alleged. In fact, we know well the insults recently hurled at a woman MP by the Opposition. Regardless of side, women MPs come here under difficult circumstances and are few in number historically. You all together did not even allow Hon. Rohini Kavirathna to attend here with dignity; she was cornered to diminish her standing. As women MPs we do not agree with that.

¶ 03 Regarding the Heads of the President, the Prime Minister, Parliament, and Commissions including the Judicial Service Commission: let me speak a bit on the President’s Head. The National Women’s Commission has been newly established—this 10th Parliament will be historic for enabling it. Its establishment costs are borne by the Presidential Secretariat and so fall under this Head. If the Opposition did not know, they should note this when debating these Heads.

¶ 04 On the Prime Minister’s Head and her Office’s functions and expenditures: the previous speaker made baseless allegations about the PM. We know how prior Prime Ministers operated, with many trailing behind to open doors, close doors, carry bags, pens and books. That is not how our Prime Minister operates. Whether you accept it or not, the public knows that she manages administration and expenditures efficiently and modestly.

¶ 05 Beyond state protocol, the PM’s Office has important tasks: to align with State policy in driving economic and social transformation; to provide guidance, coordination, and leadership. Through this office, many significant actions have been carried out in recent times under that guidance, coordination and leadership.