The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, thank you for this opportunity. First, as a Member of the 10th Parliament, I express my respect and gratitude to all in the Badulla District—those who voted for me and those who did not.

¶ 02 While Government Members speak of building a good, prosperous, and beautiful country under this popular mandate, I am pleased to contribute to this debate.

¶ 03 I served in the 9th Parliament at a time when all 225 MPs were vilified as thieves and corrupt. I left that 225, stood before the people, proved I was not corrupt, and sought a renewed mandate to return—precisely to answer those accusations. If the Government now proceeds with cleansing Parliament and reforming law‑making, we ask the Hon. Prime Minister to ensure that when enacting laws and implementing them, we study carefully where omissions and quiet alterations occur that undermine the public intent.

¶ 04 This morning, we saw some procedural lapses by newcomers. When efforts were made to correct them and revive traditions, it should not be construed as resistance; rather, we aim to uphold proper parliamentary practice.

¶ 05 I must thank the Hon. Prime Minister. In the 9th Parliament’s Committee on Ethics and Privileges, she stood up to correct an injustice where the Parliamentary (Powers and Privileges) Act was misused to silence a speaking Member. Both she and Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam took a principled stand then. This shows there is a workable path to conduct this Parliament well, if the Chair acts impartially, regardless of side.

¶ 06 Let me be clear: the President’s Address is not merely a “new” speech because a new President delivered it without reading from a text. These are promises that have been made for 76 years. They must now be made real, tangibly felt by the people. Our role in the Opposition is to guide you to do what you said you would do. That is not dragging you down; it is helping ensure delivery.

¶ 07 Consider professional struggles: those who marched for rights are today Ministers. Yesterday, outside the Education Ministry, how fair was the response to professionals demanding to speak? If you claim to be different from past administrations, then allow engagement and resolve through dialogue. Otherwise, society will question your words.

¶ 08 Today, rice is Rs. 240 per kilo, coconuts Rs. 200, Nadu rice is scarce. Those who once stood at the farmers’ markets with consumers are missing. Is this your “renaissance”? You asked then whether we even needed an Agriculture Ministry if we imported rice. But now your answer seems to be import. To say it will be fixed in a month or two is not credible.

¶ 09 You plan an interim budget showing expenditure but not revenue. Why? Because showing revenue means raising taxes—yet you promised tax cuts. Let me remind you: lies do not have long lives. Others with more power and bigger lies fell within two and a half years. This Government must establish plans grounded in truth and reality, not deception.

¶ 10 We are prepared to support practical measures beyond words. But we will not allow the public to be misled by speeches. People cannot fill their stomachs with rhetoric. We hope you find the strength to act, and we will remind you, as needed. Thank you.