The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you. We support the Orders under the Convention against Doping in Sports for the advancement of sports. We also welcome decisions to derive benefits from Port City—once derided as a “Chinese colony” and said to even require cutting Sigiriya—now sensibly advanced. We also welcome the President’s measures to reduce the burden on people.

¶ 02 However, I must address statements by the Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, who accused the Opposition of lying using Parliament’s privilege. He forgets his own past statements. On 18 December 2024—two years ago—on a popular TV channel he said to “write it down” that this would be the last time Sri Lanka imports rice. Yet today, more than four rounds of rice imports have occurred, and continue. He had claimed rice imports were to give concessions to “elephant friends.” Are today’s imports also to benefit such friends?

¶ 03 I must also raise several issues. The 2025 A/L results have been released, but those selected to the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Colombo from the December 2024 exam have not been enrolled. Many MPs of this Government came here with the first votes of those youths; yet for nearly two years they are at home, their most valuable years wasted. That is a national crime. Please treat this as a priority and resolve it.

¶ 04 There is also an issue with national schools. Interviews for Principals (Class I) in the Education Administrative Service were completed; results of 46 qualified candidates were sent to the Public Service Commission months ago, but appointments are not issued. Acting principals lack full authority; renowned schools like Richmond College, Galle and Rahula College, Matara are affected. Do not delay; appoint qualified principals and strengthen the system.

¶ 05 On the Pulmude Mineral Sands Company: over 80 casual workers have been in a tragic situation—working for one and a half years without pay, borrowing from family and friends, yet continuing service. The Minister earlier gave a positive answer to regularize them; Cabinet has approved and Treasury concurred. But now you set aside those 80 and try to recruit anew. That is deplorable. Do not set fires for people; they will turn back on you. We saw how the recruitment of 100 Sub-Inspectors was halted. Please attend to these workers.

¶ 06 On MSME relief loans: Cabinet decisions dated 01.01.2026 and 12.01.2026 provided for relief loans, endorsed by the Industry Ministry. Yet commercial and state banks delay implementation citing practical issues; the Development Finance Department itself acknowledges practical problems by letter. Since December 2025, files shuttle between the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry, with no field solutions. Please ensure banks release these loans and support SMEs. I conclude with thanks.