The Hon. Chaminda Lalith Kumara

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you. Over two days of debate on Clean Sri Lanka, both Government and Opposition offered many views. While some in the Opposition expressed support, they simultaneously sent distorted messages to society. Regardless, we promised the people to set the country on the correct path. From a mere 3 percent, the people lifted us to beyond 60 percent — not to play with public opinion, but to govern rightly.

¶ 02 This is now a national movement. We will unite the nation’s strengths behind a coherent policy and plan, engaging professionals and vast volunteer forces at the grassroots. Though the Opposition continues to criticize, among the people, especially at village level, we see enormous trust and willingness to join this programme.

¶ 03 Clean Sri Lanka is not a single, short campaign; it is a suite of continuing programmes. We have seen past regimes sell slogans rather than policies: “Let us awaken Sri Lanka,” “A Maithri era,” “Good Governance,” and even the so-called “Wonder of Asia” — which a villager told me was something that would not even agree with a pig’s stomach. People eventually backed us because they understood. Do not continue mudslinging; if you care for the country, join us.

¶ 04 Our leadership answers to the public directly, transparently, unlike past leaders who hid behind officials in media events. Some Opposition Members asked if this programme will only mobilize officials and reduce salaries to fund our party. These are twisted ideas. Our people are ready to volunteer — that is our culture. Under past local authorities, projects were done for commissions; when the corrupt system prevailed, no villager came out to help, but in a clean administration, people will.

¶ 05 We will prove, through results, that this programme will go beyond your criticisms. There is no “final day” — we will keep adding initiatives. Secretaries of ministries, District and Divisional Coordinating Committees are already aligning to roll this out. Do not imagine that mere criticisms will stop this. We will proceed lawfully, constitutionally, and morally — not with violence or repression.