Hon. Dinidu Saman

¶ 01 We have completed a survey of all water sources in the district, demarcated the relevant reserve boundaries and prepared the plans necessary to protect them. We propose to this House that all of us must protect this water resource. Within the Clean Sri Lanka project, we will implement a programmatic sequence to prepare water protection plans for all sources. As we all consume water today, we must preserve some for the consumption of our children who will live in this country tomorrow. We must intervene accordingly. We are ready to carry out all of this within the Clean Sri Lanka program in a planned manner.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, from the very outset of the Clean Sri Lanka project we saw a loud voice of opposition rising from the Opposition. That voice is not because of anything else; if this project succeeds, all the connections binding the Opposition will dissolve. By the time the next general election comes, the forces we have will be more united, and the elements in the Opposition that need cleansing will be further cleansed. When our Badulla District MP, Mr. Chamara Sampath, spoke at the start of Clean Sri Lanka, he uttered a falsehood that Rs. 7 million had been spent on the project. Knowing his educational background, we will not say anything more to him. We cannot expect anything beyond that in this Parliament from such a person. We saw yesterday how he behaved in this House, like an ox that has broken its horn. That kind of conduct should not recur in this House.

¶ 03 To the Member who is slinging mud loudly at the Clean Sri Lanka project, we must also say this: funds amounting to Rs. 3.2 billion of the National Youth Services Council have been spent. When he, together with Harin Fernando, was engaged in election activities using public money meant to develop the skills of the youth of this country, he did not remember whose money was being spent. Claiming to give scholarships to children, they took money from the National Lotteries Board and spent it to hold political rallies at Wills Park in Badulla. Even then, he did not remember that it was taxpayers’ money that was being spent. But once Clean Sri Lanka commenced and some funds were allocated to it, they suddenly remembered to say state funds were being wasted. We will not waste even five per cent of state money. That political hypocrisy must end. We are ready to create a new political journey and a new culture that puts an end to that hypocrisy. Through the Clean Sri Lanka project we are ready to establish a new program to eradicate poverty in this country, I say so and I resume my seat. Thank you.