The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, our District’s Deputy Minister says there is no crisis. I invite him to visit Ella Police Station or even the petrol shed behind this Parliament after my speech and say there is no crisis. Do not speak as if waking from sleep. If tourists are not flying in, extending ticket validity will not help. Supplying fuel for safari tours is fine, but if tourists do not come, that fuel is of no use. Go to Ella and discuss moratoria for hoteliers who built with loans. Provide relief for three-wheeler drivers with loans, as your leaders once promised. The Trade Minister says prices may rise during the New Year period—on dhal, sugar, rice; travel plans are uncertain—yet you say there is no crisis.

¶ 02 The President now asks everyone to trust him, including the JVP. For decades, JVP cadres were told one thing by their founder; where is that socialism today? You urged people to trust you then; now you ask them to trust the President. Is that fair? Many youths died in struggles stoked against India in the past; now you shake hands there—can your cadres accept this?

¶ 03 You fought privatization of education; within 18 months in power you advanced it—how can university students trust you? You vowed not to sell state enterprises like the CEB; where are those promises now? The people of Badulla elected you to fight such moves.

¶ 04 When you were in Opposition during COVID-19, your conduct then is on the Hansard; do not now lecture others on responsible opposition. Some even urged people not to send dollars. Had you supported the government of the day then, we would listen to you now. You opposed the IMF then; today you walk that very path shown by others you criticized. Do not preach now.

¶ 05 You say you are not thieves; but you abandoned your long-held struggles and now wear ties and coats. The public will judge this inconsistency.

¶ 06 [Portion expunged on the order of the Chair.]

¶ 07 You claimed there were no three ships; now you say there were. You shifted positions readily while once calling others thieves, then later aligning with them. Even your meal companions have changed. The public can see these contradictions.