The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I support the motion moved by the Hon. Prime Minister regarding the President’s Policy Statement.

¶ 02 The “ground reality” the Opposition Leader mentioned is that the NPP received 159 seats and his party 40; with 4.9 million-plus votes, the people mandated an NPP Government. We ask that all respect this mandate in conduct and parliamentary practice, as Party Leaders initially agreed.

¶ 03 This morning, some Members acted contrary to Party Leaders’ consensus, wasting valuable time. We expect the Opposition Leader and Chief Organizer to guide their teams so the President’s Policy Statement can be fully debated over the two days allocated.

¶ 04 Many districts suffered disasters; lives, including schoolchildren’s, were lost; properties destroyed. We extend condolences and have taken swift measures to provide immediate relief. All Ministries are mobilized; Opposition Members can assist by working with the Government mechanism rather than treating it like campaign distributions.

¶ 05 Our programme is “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life.” The people mandated change economically, politically, culturally, administratively, and democratically.

¶ 06 We inherited a bankrupt, decoupled economy. Those asking what we did in two weeks should recognize we are restoring a country ruined over many governments. The people have given us time; we ask all to act with that understanding.

¶ 07 We are focusing on a production‑based economy: Rs. 25,000 per hectare fertilizer support to farmers; fuel support to fishers—multi‑day and single‑day boats are returning to sea and catches are increasing. We will add further support to boost production. When we took office there was not even a grain of paddy in stores and no mechanism to buy paddy; that contributed to the rice price problem. We are implementing urgent measures: importing rice via Sathosa and the State Trading (General) Corporation and opening imports more broadly to stabilize supply. We will not allow politicization of this issue.

¶ 08 We also recognize large groups still need social protection due to Easter, COVID, and the overall economic crisis. Yesterday Cabinet extended the transitional allowance for 400,000 households from 31 December to 31 March. A further 400,000 vulnerable households will receive benefits for one more year. The poor category allowance increases from Rs. 8,500 to Rs. 10,000; the extreme poor category from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 17,500. We will also propose increases to monthly elders’, kidney patients’, and disability allowances in the Budget.

¶ 09 The crisis has especially burdened schoolchildren. A 2023 Household Survey shows 55% of children’s education was adversely affected; 53.2% reduced or stopped purchasing books and stationery; 26.1% shifted to old materials. Starting next school term, we will grant Rs. 6,000 per child in Aswesuma households for books and stationery. Additionally, Rs. 6,000 will be given to children who are orphans, have a disabled parent, live in children’s homes, or are otherwise vulnerable.

¶ 10 Before the elections, opponents predicted collapse—Dollar at 500, stock market crash, Aswesuma cut, etc. The President, also Finance Minister, has managed the economy with the IMF while providing maximum relief to those in need.

¶ 11 On Development Officers: the issue was created by previous ad hoc recruitments without clear duties, schemes of promotion, or remuneration. The Hon. Prime Minister presented a Cabinet paper; we approved a review of all graduates recruited since 1994 to regularize their future security. We are ready for dialogue anytime, routing matters responsibly so decisions can be taken with accountability.

¶ 12 Those who failed to deny us a mandate now try to reignite ethno‑nationalism. From the President’s Statement: we will not permit a return to ethnic or religious extremism. No one was prevented from going to temple, church, kovil, mosque, praying, reading scripture. Yet lies were spread during elections. We will not allow ethno‑nationalist incitement; if current laws are insufficient, we will bring new ones. Recent social‑media content promoting LTTE symbols by identified political actors is being investigated under existing gazettes that prohibit promoting terrorist symbols. Free speech and criticism of us are welcome, but do not weaponize ethnic hatred.

¶ 13 On health: there were serious issues including corruption; a former Minister resigned; others face investigation. The NMRA has had inefficiencies and infiltration; we are rectifying them. On Sodium Bicarbonate, we will resolve the shortage within days; other critical shortages are being addressed. We assume full responsibility to ensure uninterrupted, quality supply, ending corruption and rackets.

¶ 14 Thank you, Hon. Speaker.