The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, after several years I have the opportunity to speak again in Parliament. This is the inaugural Budget of the JVP and the NPP government. First, I extend best wishes to the President. I also congratulate my old friends Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Hon. Handunnetti, and Hon. Wijitha Herath who are now Ministers, and all others. With two-thirds of 159 MPs, you have a strong mandate. I wish all MPs the best in securing a bright future for our country.

¶ 02 When I earlier served as a Minister, I worked closely with the JVP. During that period, none of their MPs criticized my ministry or conduct—if they did, let Hansard show it. Usually, Opposition MPs level allegations against Ministers. But for those years, no allegation was raised against me by them. I appreciate that. I also expect that in this House they will praise what is good and criticize what warrants criticism.

¶ 03 I understand how campaigns are run. Since last August, the JVP slowly got closer to the people. Hon. Anura Dissanayake took the message to the public, speaking extensively about corruption—especially under the Rajapaksa era. I too spoke vehemently about it. Corruption spiralled then, bankrupting the nation. The JVP leader used that moment well.

¶ 04 But it is sad to say: if Rohana Wijeweera saw this Budget, would he cry or laugh? Having heard Comrade Somawansa’s speeches, I know he would be dismayed. The JVP/NPP government has made a massive departure from its political doctrine—a shift beyond a U‑turn, more like a V‑turn. I welcome this, because historically the JVP obstructed development—opposing privatization, the open economy, and liberalism. Wijeweera said abandoning Marxist-socialist doctrine would be a betrayal; perhaps bad for the party, but as a citizen I say this change is good for the country. Even in Opposition, a competent, non‑corrupt team can help rebuild the nation.

¶ 05 Do not forget: those past rulers to whom you now point fingers—Chandrika, Mahinda, Maithripala, Fonseka—received JVP support at various times. We, however, were not in those governments. If twenty years of governance harmed the country, we were not part of it.

¶ 06 We are proud of our leaders—J.R. Jayewardene, D.S. and Dudley Senanayake, John Kotelawala, Gamini Dissanayake. Their development still stands. If this government wants real development, grant relief to the apparel industry. Last year it earned US$ 4 billion. You could present a Budget of this scale because of the foundations our leaders laid.

¶ 07 Take the Mahaweli project: in the 1980s our leaders executed it; today over 50 percent of our electricity has been generated from Mahaweli at times, with an asset value near US$ 10 billion. So, Mr. President and Ministers, do not be petty; recognize good where it’s due. We appreciate your fight against corruption. But in the last five months we have seen 300 containers allegedly released, and TEC-rejected firms being allowed a 50MW wind project. We will speak on these soon. We will give you space, but we will also call out wrongdoing.

¶ 08 Hon. Handunnetti said you embrace liberalism. We welcome that. But he asks why we oppose this Budget—then support it. My answer: wearing a suit looks fine on those it fits. The open liberal economy is our suit—brought by J.R. Jayewardene—later muddied by Chandrika and the Rajapaksas. The world runs on open economies with some state role—India, China, Russia included. Our leaders who changed course couldn’t deliver; we, within a short time and amid two insurrections, built Mahaweli and apparel.

¶ 09 The destruction from the JVP’s 88–89 insurrection is estimated near US$ 150 billion; LTTE’s near US$ 250 billion. Let’s be fair when we speak of damage to the economy.

¶ 10 I also criticize J.R. for stripping Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s civic rights and for the “Lampu Game” referendum; but he launched the open economy. Countries like China and Singapore learned from that model. He even donated his own land. Likewise, Ranil Wickremesinghe deserves credit for helping take us out of bankruptcy—though he too has much to answer for regarding corruption and alliances with the Rajapaksas.

¶ 11 Sajith Premadasa is not corrupt. He is capable and young, leading a competent team. Do not lump us all together. If you have allegations, we are ready to answer. Identify the real culprits.

¶ 12 On public sector salaries: my calculations show, based on data I have, increases of about Rs. 5,900 for Primary Level (unskilled), Rs. 6,777 for MN‑1 (Management Assistant) by end‑2025, Rs. 7,700 for certain associate grades, and Rs. 7,900 for others—generally Rs. 5,000–7,000, possibly about Rs. 8,000 by 2028.

¶ 13 But look at prices. You target 5% inflation, but over three years that compounds towards 15–20%. In 2019, a kilo of dhal was Rs. 147; now Rs. 349; with 5% inflation by end‑2025 around Rs. 366. Wheat flour was Rs. 118; now Rs. 183; by 2025 about Rs. 192; by 2028 about Rs. 230. Sugar was Rs. 105; now Rs. 289; next year Rs. 303; by 2028 Rs. 355. Samba rice was Rs. 100; now Rs. 265; next year Rs. 278; in three years Rs. 330. A selected basket that cost Rs. 2,900 then will cost Rs. 6,719 now, and about Rs. 7,918 by 2028—an additional ~Rs. 2,000 versus this year. With inflation, even with raises, people will struggle.

¶ 14 You say, “We’ll stop the slide into poverty.” But how do you lift people up from here? Where is the plan to enter the production process and drive development?

¶ 15 We must also service about US$ 5 billion in debt this year. Where will the additional US$ 7–12 billion come from? Where are the industries? I can show you a plan. Together with Hon. Ajith P. Perera, we initiated an industrial zone at Millaniya—US$ 500 million from Rojana. But it was blocked. Still, we prepared land and community consent. We offer to help you.

¶ 16 Here is the National Export Strategy of Sri Lanka, prepared when I was State Minister, with about EUR 58 million in grant support—not loans—from the EU. If you start planning now, it takes 4–5 years for returns. But you need US$ 12 billion more by end‑this‑year, US$ 15 billion next year. Without a plan, by 2028 we’ll be in trouble. The NES connects all ministries with actionable sector strategies: Trade Information and Promotion, Electrical & Electronic Components, Logistics, Wellness Tourism, Boat Building, Information Technology, etc., with inputs from Harvard, McKinsey, and the EU. We are ready to share all this—free—if it helps the country.

¶ 17 On personal matters and cases—I will not discuss them here. But if you mudsling, I will respond. I have already filed several cases, including a Rs. 100 million claim against the Acting IGP. We will support what is good. Many among you are honest. A few have the look of those who might steal—but overall we can work together. Take these studies—no need to credit my name.