The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, first to the Hon. Member’s point: on scheduling Pradeshiya Development Committee meetings on sitting days—we agree. The State Administration Minister should ensure these are not called on sitting days. If there is an unavoidable emergency, seek Members’ consent; otherwise, during the two sitting weeks, avoid PDC and District Development Committee meetings.

¶ 02 Today’s debate is on approving CIABOC’s remuneration and service conditions under the Anti-Corruption Act. Yet we must also recognize the current global context; we cannot ignore it.

¶ 03 We identified CIABOC’s difficulties—staff shortages, inadequate space and facilities—and intervened. We gave them premises—ministerial official residences not taken by our ministers were made available—and we have established two new courts. The Commission needs not only staff but risk allowances, because officers face intimidation and pressure. We have increased such allowances from Rs. 10,000 upwards.

¶ 04 There is no real dispute today even from the Opposition that these changes are necessary. We are fulfilling the State’s duty to equip CIABOC to function independently.

¶ 05 I myself lodged complaints as far back as 2010. Some old complaints were delayed; many have now moved, and some offenders are already behind bars—under our Government. We are breathing life into CIABOC. There is still a waiting list of many matters; as they move up the queue, some will get nervous.

¶ 06 On the present national situation: the U.S. and Israel have attacked Iran. Though in the Middle East, the heat of that war is felt up to Giruwapattuwa, Horowpathana, Kahatagahdigiliya, Kebitigollewa, Omanthai, Mandativu—right to the tip of Jaffna. As that heat spread, the President Anura Dissanayake, Cabinet, this Parliament, ministry secretaries and institutional heads have been working day and night to find solutions. Some solutions are not easy because every decision affects someone. We must balance all these effects.

¶ 07 We decided to declare Wednesday a holiday nationwide—including schools and most State offices—to conserve about 30% of our fuel stock, giving us roughly 15 extra days. The Opposition says Parliament must sit; but closing it for one day harms no one. We need to reduce daily consumption of diesel and petrol to create space for essential needs while the global situation evolves—no one knows how long this will last. We do not know what reception the U.S. gives to the Opposition Leader’s advice; we must act on the ground reality.

¶ 08 If flows through the Hormuz Strait are impeded, global fuel supply drops by about 20%. Other reserve‑holding countries then limit releases, pushing prices up—some have doubled. Insurance premia for shipping rise, and that affects the prices of dal, sugar, dried fish, potatoes, onions—everything. To manage this, the Cabinet decided yesterday that, outside of the standard procurement processes, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation may, with Procurement Commission approval, procure fuel, gas and coal urgently. Thanks to this decision, we secured a fuel shipment yesterday. We are re‑assessing daily and taking decisions accordingly.

¶ 09 The Opposition is trying to create a big outcry over suspending one sitting day. The people are watching how both Government and Opposition behave. This is a global condition, not a Government-made crisis. We must act responsibly.

¶ 10 Meanwhile, farmers are harvesting in Anuradhapura; to cut one acre a day, harvesting machines need about 10–15 liters. We have started the Yala season in March, with high focus on food production. The President has made it clear we will ensure the necessary fuel and support to sustain agriculture and essential services while we manage the external shock.