Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, why extend the emergency now? Supplementary estimates were passed; necessary regulations made; compensation is being paid—by the PM’s own figures, up to 75–90 percent. If money is short, say so. But this extension is not for that.

¶ 02 When Gampola, Peradeniya, Geli Oya, Chilaw, and the Mahiyanganaya Hospital were under water, no emergency was declared. Then, when it was needed to empower the tri-forces and police, it wasn’t invoked. Now, like keeping a sword after the war to cut pumpkins, you bring emergency to suppress rising forces against you and to shield Ministers and MPs from public anger.

¶ 03 We saw grandstanding: dancing at the “opening” of the Badulla–Ambewela rail segment, when only two landslides were cleared. Is the train running Ambewela–Haputale? Rambukkana–Peradeniya? Peradeniya–Matale? Even strengthening the Peradeniya black bridge hasn’t been done. TV visits are shown but the work isn’t finished. If you can’t even rehabilitate Rambukkana–Kadugannawa, how will you handle mega projects? If we cannot do it, hand it to capable foreign partners as was done for the Northern Line with Indian assistance.

¶ 04 This Government has no plan, only talk. After disasters, instead of timely decisions, you now try to use emergency to manage public dissent.

¶ 05 Remember how those who voted for Gotabaya Rajapaksa led the protests against him. Today, those who voted for you are turning against you. Last year saw a decline unprecedented in 70 years: electricity demand did not rise in 2025—a sign of stagnation. Solar and mini-hydro are curtailed at times because industry and household economic activity are weak. SMEs—the backbone—are choked by high taxes and pressures; they are not expanding or investing.

¶ 06 There is no credible program to revive those hit by Cyclone Ditva. The economy is stuck: fewer jobs, less cash in people’s hands, little construction in villages. Instead of solving this, you keep using the emergency to suppress dissent. Even during wartime, some in Government opposed emergency. There is no LTTE, no southern terror—so why now?

¶ 07 Even on social media, backlash is obvious. State service morale is low, worsened by personal vendettas like the treatment of Chaminda Kularatne affecting parliamentary staff. The Speaker must preserve the dignity of the Chair, the Secretary-General, and all staff, without personal retaliation. The top three offices—President, Prime Minister, Speaker—appear at odds; unless resolved, the country faces serious problems. Thank you.