The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, on this second day we debate the adjournment motion on the Clean Sri Lanka concept. Many in Government say the Opposition only criticizes and trips them up. That is not our aim. During COVID when there were no medicines, our Leader of the Opposition first helped bring medicine. On the 19th Amendment, we helped fix many serious issues. Do not see our call to do things properly as obstruction.

¶ 02 You say society has cleaned you via the cooperative vote. Let the next election come—people are waiting to clean you. The people made Gotabaya Rajapaksa President as a hero; but he shattered their expectations. You now make shows cleaning the Parliament canteen and lunch. Good if done genuinely; but you also must stop grandstanding and address corruption—bring back stolen money you promised, like from Uganda. Where is it?

¶ 03 Hold the local government elections if you dare. I was UNP Mayor of Bandarawela in 2011. I first tried to clean three-wheelers and streets thinking people would like it. They did not—because it was not practical or sustainable. In the second year I learned to provide alternatives: we composted the town’s garbage and made Rs. 3.4 million profit; we taught source segregation; provided bins and schedules; the local authority collected accordingly; designated disposal sites. The town became beautiful with flowers and produce. People then protected it because systems and attitudes changed. Build such systems; we will support.

¶ 04 Your slogan is “Prosperous country, beautiful life.” But behind it, the same old rackets: large-scale rice scams with files open; MPs collecting commissions in Kurunegala. You have no proper plan. The President’s village dialogues keep recounting past thefts—then bring the plans to prosecute and clean them. If you truly clean that, we will raise both hands in support. Instead, some resort to smear culture and fabricated allegations against MPs. Many in NPP want to fix the country, but experts inside get no space. I regret this.

¶ 05 To make this programme succeed, we as the Opposition will give you the strength and support needed—if you do it right. Thank you.