Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 I will extend my time by a few minutes, Sir.

¶ 02 You said you would promote renewables, but you keep striking blow after blow at renewable entrepreneurs, especially in solar, discouraging them. That is why I say this Government is a subcontractor of the fuel and electricity mafia.

¶ 03 Finally, the country must know this. You came to power saying you would proceed with a new Debt Sustainability Analysis and a new IMF agreement. But you are going down the previous path. With external creditors we agreed to a debt haircut—reducing payable principal. While doing that, through macro-linked bonds you are causing grave harm: as GDP growth increases, the amount reduced via haircut is progressively clawed back; our debt burden rises with growth. See the harm. In domestic debt restructuring, while claiming to protect the poor, you harmed EPF and ETF holders; you did not correct the pickpocketing done to EPF/ETF, while sparing the banking system and primary dealers—super-rich interests—untouched. Because you chose to tell lies.

¶ 04 I present these points and request the Government: in action as in words, strengthen renewables. Millions of electricity consumers await a 33 per cent tariff reduction. Likewise, many await fuel at landed price. Please do not lie, deceive, or mislead—fulfil those promises.

¶ 05 Thank you.