The Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, I first thank the people of Matale District for electing me to this House.

¶ 02 This policy statement is not mere words; it is a practical, stable program. Among its priorities are several transformative shifts, notably ending rural poverty. Many romanticize the village as “beautiful,” but the reality today is tragic: rural communities face deep poverty, social exclusion, and indignity. Health outcomes are poor; malnutrition is highest at the rural level; a vast number of women—mothers of our future—suffer from anemia. In education, most schools are rural, yet they lack teachers, laboratories, and sports grounds; disparities are severe.

¶ 03 Rural housing problems are acute, especially in the hill country, where people live in constrained, vulnerable conditions. Despite rural people contributing significantly to national production, they do not receive a fair share of benefits; national wealth has centralized in a few hands.

¶ 04 Therefore, our policy lays out practical measures to lift rural communities: ensuring food security so every citizen can access basic nutrition; providing quality education; addressing mental stress; and creating new economic streams for rural people. We will bring in industrialists, entrepreneurs, and the business community to raise the economy and revive broken rural industries—especially agro‑industry.

¶ 05 Some in the Opposition speak with great excitement about the rice issue, but we all know the plight the agricultural sector was put into in recent years. Many of us here have lived through professional struggles; we do not need lectures on industrial action. We recognize the issues faced by development officers and public servants and will work to resolve them responsibly. Thank you.