The Hon. D.V. Chanaka

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

¶ 02 This is a special Parliament. When our then-ruling party’s 149 seats dwindled to three in the last Parliament, the people have now made that minority into a two-thirds Government — that is remarkable. I thank the people of Hambantota for returning me again, one of only two SLPP MPs to come back.

¶ 03 Today we debate the President’s Throne Speech; our issue is not with the points listed, but with its credibility. There is a stark contrast between campaign promises and statements over the last two to two-and-a-half months: on fuel prices, electricity tariffs, and IMF negotiations — positions have shifted. Hence, we question the credibility of the Throne Speech.

¶ 04 Upon becoming President, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake also became Agriculture Minister. After a month, he said no rice imports were needed based on available stocks. But within a week of appointing a new Minister, it was announced that 70,000 metric tons of rice would be imported. Were officials misleading the President, or is there a credibility problem?

¶ 05 We also see heavy-handedness — media intimidation over coverage of “money printing,” and social media activists being arrested. When we had 149 seats, we faced severe media criticism but never threatened the media. Now, within days, three arrests have occurred. In court, the question arose whether those who celebrated or those who posted on social media were being targeted.

¶ 06 On communalism and extremism: we oppose both. During good governance times, in the name of harmony, law enforcement sometimes looked away from crimes; even seized bomb-making materials did not lead to action. We trust this Government will not repeat that mistake. The Easter attacks happened despite 94 prior intelligence alerts.

¶ 07 This morning I had eight minutes to speak; it was reduced to five. I hope in future our party’s Members will be allotted fair time. You promised change and development; may you deliver. We wish the Government well.