The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I move:

¶ 02 "That the Statement of Government Policy presented to Parliament by the President on Thursday 21 November 2024, in terms of Articles 32(4) and 33(a) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, be approved."

¶ 03 Hon. Speaker, I am pleased to participate in the debate on the President’s Policy Statement and thank you for allocating me time.

¶ 04 We represent a Government and a Parliament born out of a historic transformation. On 21 September this year, the people decisively rejected the traditional elite political order that governed for decades and sent a clear message demanding a new political culture.

¶ 05 For a long time, political power and governance in our country deteriorated. Abuse of power and corruption dominated. Through the September mandate, the people unequivocally rejected that corrupt, broken governance culture. They also rejected traditional political leaders who long dominated politics. One might have concluded that people were rejecting politics itself. But our voters showed they rejected not politics, but a corrupt political culture. They demonstrated political maturity and the wisdom to build and participate in a democratic, participatory movement representing a new political culture.

¶ 06 We must see this as a people’s awakening and a popular victory. This Parliament reflects that. We have a Government representing all districts, all communities and faiths, with the highest representation of women in our parliamentary history. This did not happen through traditional leadership, but through the people’s decision. The President’s Statement articulates the responsibility upon such a Government and Parliament and how we must discharge it.

¶ 07 The people expect us to fulfill that responsibility and safeguard their trust by upholding an uncorrupted political culture, avoiding abuse of power, and protecting the rule of law. The mandate clearly rejected ethno-nationalism and divisive politics. Our Government will not allow space for ethno-nationalism. If defeated groups try to rekindle such divisiveness for political gain, we will take all necessary measures to defeat those attempts and unite our people.

¶ 08 This mandate also emphasizes respecting public opinion and ensuring public participation. Recognizing citizens as intelligent and politically mature, we must engage them as participants and stakeholders in governance.

¶ 09 We assumed office at an unprecedentedly broken moment—economically, socially, and politically. We took charge when there was not even approval to appoint a Police Chief; when Cabinet decisions were being struck down by courts; when independent commissions were overruling Cabinet. Some former Members even claimed Cabinet could overrule the PSC; such falsehoods and abuse of law worsened our public service crisis.

¶ 10 We inherited a country misled by false promises, with a severely unstable economy and a heavy burden on citizens due to necessary stabilization measures. Our foremost responsibility is to restore stability—without coercion or abuse of power, but through a new political culture: collective responsibility, decisions based on policy, data, evidence, transparency, and continuity and coherence of policies.

¶ 11 Our Cabinet was formed on a scientific basis, minimizing government expenditure, with 22 Ministers allocated portfolios based on qualifications and competencies to implement needed policies.

¶ 12 Contrary to claims that appointing one or two National List MPs would be chaotic while appointing 18 is easy, our party named one in 2020 without issue, and likewise 18 now without issue—whereas others still struggle to fill their 225.

¶ 13 Stability will come through coherent, continuous policies that give citizens, public servants and the private sector confidence and reduce societal anxiety. The President’s historic speech reflected that stability and credibility—delivered without notes because it was not ad hoc; it expressed policies collectively discussed and agreed over years. That is why we and the people felt confidence.

¶ 14 The people now look to us with great trust and hope. We must work wholeheartedly for the country and its people, making this Parliament more representative, empathetic, and collegial, reflecting the values our citizens demand.

¶ 15 Sir, our people ask us to be different. They have made a bold choice. It is up to us to meet that challenge, listen to them, and together make this country better—starting with this Parliament.

¶ 16 Thank you very much for the time, Hon. Speaker.

¶ 17 Question proposed.