The Hon. Presiding Member

¶ 01 Please count my time from now.

¶ 02 Regarding the President’s meeting: our party representatives explained past efforts toward a political solution. The President attentively listened and assured he is committed to initiating new talks to achieve a durable political solution. We are ready to engage with him on that.

¶ 03 On today’s subject, the Ministry of Power and Energy is crucial. Mismanagement here helped trigger regime change and public protests; therefore, the Ministry carries a responsibility to ensure such crises never recur. In this Budget, four key priorities are highlighted: promoting renewable energy, reducing wastage via grid expansion and modernization, reducing dependence on expensive energy sources, and enhancing private-sector participation and investment.

¶ 04 Out of LKR 23 billion allocated, about LKR 22 billion is for capital expenditure, signaling major infrastructure strengthening. I welcome allocations for rooftop solar at hospitals (LKR 1 billion) and religious institutions (LKR 1.2 billion).

¶ 05 Hospitals run 24/7 critical facilities—drug stores, emergency, operating theaters—requiring uninterrupted refrigeration and power. Please prioritize funding for rooftop solar for such institutions to yield national benefits.

¶ 06 Affordable electricity is vital for households and for economic growth; high tariffs raise production costs and deter investment. We must attract investment into natural and renewable power. Many countries are leading in low-impact renewables; Bhutan, for instance, exports green power and earns over 60% of its foreign revenue from it. Sri Lanka has year-round sun and wind; with proper planning, we too can generate renewable power at scale and even export to nearby India. Please provide incentives for households and enterprises to adopt renewables.

¶ 07 In the dry zones—especially the North and East—many already try to install rooftop solar, but lack of grid and net-metering capacity limits their benefit. I do not expect everything in one year, but lay the foundation so renewables can be widely integrated and benefit our people.

¶ 08 The President noted new procurement prices for 50 MW plants: around USD 3.96 cents (Phase I) and 3.77 cents (Phase II) per kWh—positive steps that should relieve pressure.

¶ 09 During “Vadakkin Vasantham” after the war, free connections were provided to resettled families. Many who missed out then are still without connections. Please introduce a similar program—if not free, at least subsidized—for resettled communities and small producers, as in Tamil Nadu where farmers receive free or concessional electricity for agriculture.

¶ 10 On Mannar wind projects: people have protested for a long time; families of the disappeared have been on the roads for over 3,000 days. Do not prolong conflicts. Hear their grievances and examine the science. Only by addressing their concerns can protests end responsibly.

¶ 11 Finally, equip public buildings’ rooftops with solar to advance the energy sector and national prosperity. We will fully support such efforts. Thank you.