The Hon. Sudath Balagalla

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you for this opportunity.

¶ 02 As the book “Manuthapaya” says, when a punishment given by a judge is more criminal than the offender’s act, it is an injustice. In our country’s 76 years of politics, many suffered such disproportionate punishments. Today, youths with minor infractions cannot join the police, military or public service—this is the destruction wrought by past rulers who made this a land of narcotics, theft, fraud and corruption, shattering social and political culture.

¶ 03 We state clearly: if this law is insufficient, we will further amend laws to eradicate narcotics. Our tri-forces, police, public service, and responsible political leadership are aligned. Drug trafficking is not a lone act; it thrived with political patronage and an underworld armed with weapons—some issued by the State, others manufactured by them. We are dismantling that network piece by piece.

¶ 04 Since we took office, 51 tons of heroin and other narcotics have been seized. These were not random finds; previously such large hauls were never found—because political protection existed then; now it doesn’t.

¶ 05 Regarding the “Ditva” cyclone, I must commend the public service’s efficiency. In my Badulla District, Mahiyanganaya officials worked 48–72 hours continuously. We provided Rs. 25,000 emergency relief to 3,143 families, Rs. 50,000 to 2,088 families, Rs. 25,000 to 1,474 students, compensated livestock losses exceeding Rs. 30 million, supported industries with advances around Rs. 200,000 per enterprise, approved additional credit at 3–5% interest, released 17 grants of Rs. 1 million each, and began rebuilding 52 fully damaged houses, commencing the first phase on the 12th in Mahiyanganaya. Our government delivers as promised.

¶ 06 On drugs, we’re expanding rehabilitation camps for the first time in our history, inviting youth to come voluntarily. Parents now entrust their children for recovery because they trust this government will help. We will dismantle the networks that have spread even into schools and Dhamma schools.

¶ 07 To the Opposition: bring constructive, evidence-based criticism; do not engage in daily mudslinging. We are committed to building a better country and fighting narcotics decisively.