The Hon. Amila Prasad

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, today’s debate concerns investment attraction and sport. Starting with FDI: in many export garment factories, new strains have emerged—closures, delayed wages and bonuses. In my district, working capital constraints are severe. Amid global headwinds and price increases, profits are down. Demanding bonuses by pressuring factories at such a time may be unfair; the national task is resolving the crisis, not chasing election-time giveaways. The President also said relief must be given—but from where are the funds to come? Giving tax breaks alone will not restart investments unless we transform the negative public mindset. That responsibility lies with the Government, which has long emphasized “rights.” You must now convert negativity into positivity to attract investment.

¶ 02 Beyond FDI, we must support domestic businesses. Do not look at businessmen only as tax sources. They have practical problems beyond taxes. For example, when employees commit theft, the time taken to get justice is long; delays encourage more theft. These are practical ground issues in addition to fuel prices and energy constraints.

¶ 03 Another issue: when authorities see an investor, they think of 18% taxes and income tax. Instead, see what legal and practical support is needed to keep the business running. If a cheque bounces, how to act swiftly? If a businessman must halt operations to run to police and courts, he cannot operate. Treat businessmen as the people who take the country forward and provide them with facilitation, not just tax demands.

¶ 04 To private sector employees: bonuses are good, but when the country is down, global crisis persists, and profits fall, forcing bonuses can push investors out, harming wages in the long run. Real solutions—not campaign talk—are needed.

¶ 05 On enforcement excess: in the beedi industry, officials invade homes searching for leaves and materials, causing huge disruption. If beedi leaves are imported, levy your taxes at the point of import and then allow production—simplify instead of harassing small operators.

¶ 06 On Parliament’s oversight: I object to the proposed idea that COPE findings be referred directly to the CID. Parliament’s four core functions are legislation, representation, oversight, and public finance. This proposal injures oversight. If COPE members feel an officer is guilty and immediately refer to CID, the officer cannot properly defend himself. There are due processes via ministries and courts—use them. Consult former COPE Chairs—D.E.W. Gunasekara, Sunil Handunnetti, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Charitha Herath—on the implications. Do not damage Parliament’s oversight role.

¶ 07 On cricket: there is growing crisis around fitness tests and litigation by players against the Board. The Sports Minister must act; otherwise cricket will be destabilized.

¶ 08 On online sports betting: it is spreading globally and locally. We should regulate it and capture revenue, but also strengthen laws against match-fixing and doping which can accompany betting. Several betting apps operate here, draining local funds abroad. The Digital Economy, Finance, and Defence Ministries should act to address this leakage and regulate appropriately.

¶ 09 The President also said today, for the first time, that substandard coal was imported. If so, we ask how this happened and what action will be taken. I thank the President for allowing criticism; but we request that such criticism be received constructively and that no personal threats be made—we have a right to safety. Our critiques are for the country, not personal. Thank you.