The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, today we debate the resolution to extend the Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance. The Hon. P. Sathyalinkam, representing the Opposition, expressed a suspicion that the extension is a plan to act against democracy. I wish to remind him of the long history in our country when past rulers, instead of listening to the people and those who opposed their rule or refused to serve as props in their election campaigns, used laws and regulations as instruments of repression. He will recall the burning of the Jaffna Library and the killings of innocent Tamil, Muslim, and Sinhala youth. Therefore, his suspicion is understandable. However, Hon. Deputy Chairperson, the President has clearly said that these Emergency Regulations will never be used to abolish or nullify the democratic rights of our people.

¶ 02 The Leader of the Opposition asked whether an emergency was needed to distribute Rs. 25,000 or Rs. 50,000. No, it is not. But when the President came to Parliament and announced relief for those affected by the disaster, the Opposition Leader ran to some shelter, quickly mingled with people and, by hastily querying who had received assistance, stirred unrest and agitation among an already distressed public. Hon. Deputy Chairperson, the Emergency Regulations have been invoked to empower the Commissioner General of Essential Services. On the one hand, we must prevent the Opposition—particularly the team led by the Opposition Leader—from repeatedly unsettling people who are in hardship.

¶ 03 The Opposition Leader alleges that monks were arrested under the Emergency using the Coastal Conservation Act. Let me remind him of a time when, after monks spoke out for justice and fairness, they were hounded, prevented from returning to their temples, the Dharmachakra was torn down, robes stripped, and they were even killed after being given “justice” in kangaroo fashion. History records, in black letters, who orchestrated those events—his own father. The pain he did not feel then he seems to feel now, as he comes to Parliament shedding crocodile tears.

¶ 04 On education reform, the Opposition Leader has voiced different positions at different times, always alleging that education is being privatized. But this time, that claim has fallen silent. Why? Because in the 2026 Budget, we allocated Rs. 25,000 million for a transformative reform of education—reducing the burden on parents and the hardship on children. Of that, over Rs. 17,000 million is for school infrastructure, over Rs. 6,000 million for curriculum development, over Rs. 1,000 million for human resources, over Rs. 300 million to improve assessments and examinations, and over Rs. 36 million for public awareness. With Government assuming these essential costs, no one can honestly say we are privatizing education.

¶ 05 We have 20 National Colleges of Education; for 16 years they taught the same curricula. We must equip outgoing teachers with new technology and knowledge. Accordingly, over 132,000 teachers were trained recently. We strengthened human resources and funded physical resources.

¶ 06 Since 2007 there were no recruitments to the Education Administrative Service; recruitments recommenced in 2025. We are working to grant permanent appointments to acting principals by March this year. While upgrading physical resources and human capital, we are preparing to introduce new knowledge into the school system. Of 106 modules, one module had an error. The Opposition Leader tried to defame the entire reform over that single error. The Ministry of Education and the Hon. Prime Minister immediately intervened and sealed that module. Three Senior Additional Secretaries were appointed, a fact-finding committee reported in two days, and a preliminary inquiry led by retired Secretary Ranjith Ariyarathna commenced through the National Institute of Education (NIE). The Ministry also referred the matter to the CID to determine if there was a conspiracy. The NIE’s Deputy Director-General was sent on compulsory leave, and an English Department Lecturer and an Assistant Lecturer were interdicted. Having taken all steps, the Opposition Leader still claims we are “vulgarizing” education. We say to him: oppose the Government if you must, but do not oppose the country. Otherwise, this Opposition becomes a curse upon the nation.

¶ 07 Regarding the “Ditva” cyclone, the estimated loss is about USD 1.4 billion (approximately Rs. 1,200 billion). Housing suffered about USD 985 million, buildings USD 562 million, infrastructure USD 1,735 million, and agricultural lands USD 814 million. This is not a loss our economy can bear lightly. At a time we must all unite to rebuild, what is the Opposition’s role? They opposed wage increases for plantation workers. They nitpick to block relief for families devastated by the “Ditva” cyclone. They oppose meaningful education reform. Everyone knows their hiring model: “top title security, bottom title labourer”—that is how they gave jobs. We must break with that past and open a new chapter.

¶ 08 We are supporting MSMEs affected by the disaster. We have released Rs. 25,000 million to banks at 5% interest. Additionally, Rs. 10,000 million has been issued to support affected industries. We are intervening to preserve these enterprises. When we established the National Credit Guarantee Institution, the Opposition mocked us, saying you cannot lend without collateral. We created it anyway, and last year and this year we have been extending collateral-free credit. With this message that we will build a better country than before, I conclude.

¶ 09 Thank you.