The Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today we have presented a Bill for Second Reading and several proposals as Orders and Rules. The Second Reading Bill is the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment). It is important. Further, Rules under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, are presented for approval, and Orders under the Convention against Doping in Sports Act, No. 33 of 2013. We must focus on their salient aspects.

¶ 02 We know the place of sport in our country. Some even treat sport like a religion. Sport elevates a country’s reputation internationally—be it cricket or other sports. But that reputation can be tarnished quickly by small issues.

¶ 03 Because of intense competition, some athletes are tempted to use prohibited performance-enhancing substances. This harms the athlete and can damage our national image in an instant. Sri Lanka has been bound to act on this since 2013. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) annually identifies prohibited substances, updating the list each year on 1 October.

¶ 04 Order, please! The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees will now take the Chair.

¶ 05 [Whereupon The Hon. Deputy Speaker left the Chair, and The Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, took the Chair.]

¶ 06 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, countries must adopt these annually updated lists. Today, the proposal before Parliament is to give effect in Sri Lanka to the WADA-prohibited list so that these substances cannot be used domestically. We believe this will enable Sri Lankan athletes to progress with integrity, build strength properly, and participate fairly.

¶ 07 When some use prohibited doping, others compete cleanly; that is a grave injustice to clean athletes. By enforcing these Orders against those who use prohibited substances, we can protect the country’s reputation and also help develop elite athletes with proper interventions.

¶ 08 Representing WADA locally, the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) has, for over 13 years, guided athletes towards the right path, enhancing capabilities and protecting them from prohibited substances. Today’s debate is on the prohibited list.

¶ 09 We also have two important economic proposals under two Acts. Tax policies in recent times have varied. Earlier, when tax incentives were given to investors, they were often driven by select political figures. Today, we need criteria-based, transparent incentive frameworks. To build a production economy, we must attract FDI and strengthen domestic investors. The incentive regime we present is criteria-based, benefiting domestic enterprise development and giving foreign investors a proper environment. The Opposition alleged incentives are only for foreign investors, not domestic; I urge them to at least read the document—the provisions are clear.

¶ 10 They also claim we are excessively taxing people. They forget they introduced the Nation Building Tax, taxing anyone with annual income of Rs. 12 million—Rs. 1 million a month—and imposed taxes on ordinary traders. Today, the levy applies to those earning over Rs. 36 million annually. Through rationalization, we will raise revenue while channeling relief via direct taxes to those who pay.

¶ 11 On tourism, we say with pride this year we achieved the highest arrivals in history. Despite natural disasters like Cyclone “Michaung” affecting the region, we lifted tourism through deliberate effort. Tourism is not just counted by headline revenue—it creates large numbers of direct and indirect jobs and drives diverse activities not fully captured in revenue tables. We have implemented a major program to rebuild tourism. Within this tax framework, we will continue precise plans to bring more tourists.

¶ 12 Last year was also the best year for FDI in the last five years. The Leader of the Opposition cries that we do not allow him to speak to the IMF. He forgets what his side claimed before we took office: that we lacked international links. Those “experts” now claim we block IMF meetings. We have no need to block; but with an Opposition that cannot keep unity, foreign countries will not rush to engage.

¶ 13 We urge the Opposition to bring constructive proposals. As a country, we must come together now. If you bring sound proposals, we can move forward together. Mud-slinging will not work. I conclude.