The Hon. Rohana Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, on this day when we discuss the industrial sector and poverty eradication, we must focus on the current problems and the Ministry of Industries’ capacity to resolve them. During the global COVID crisis, our industrialists could not overcome the challenges; over a hundred thousand factories fell out of production; entrepreneurs shut their industries. After years, we are emerging from bankruptcy and stabilizing. The next challenge is that, despite a temporary halt in debt servicing, we must resume repayments from 2028. To do that, we must earn dollars. We often look to worker remittances and tourism, but crises can halt both.

¶ 02 Our path to victory lies in strengthening domestic industrialization with strong state intervention and incentives—something you long advocated. Grand claims were made about doing the impossible, even producing sulphuric acid from the ocean; yet we saw even the salt industry falter in an island surrounded by sea. We must revive closed factories, understand why they shut, and develop mechanisms for their resurgence.

¶ 03 The Parate Law was suspended but is now reactivated. We are not asking to suspend it permanently. But if industries closed due to global crises and policy failures, and entrepreneurs’ assets have gone to banks, the state must ensure fairness. While safeguarding the banking system from collapse, the government should intervene properly for those losing assets through auctions due to these extraordinary conditions; otherwise we will not find entrepreneurs to drive industrialization.

¶ 04 Despite data and talk, even previously profitable enterprises have declined after you took office. The sugar industry is a case in point—workers and all are in crisis. These were previously profitable, aided by ethanol prices. When ethanol prices fell, did alcohol prices fall correspondingly? No. Was the difference captured as tax? No. Benefits went to alcohol producers; as a result, recovering sugar mills are now closing. Is this fair?

¶ 05 Hon. Minister, you recently launched the “one product, one outlet” concept to revive sugar—selling brown (red) sugar through a dedicated shop. But the best way to fail is to have no stock, and to price higher than normal retail. If a consumer has to travel to Nugegoda, pay transport, and then find the price at Rs. 275 per kilo while normal shops sell at Rs. 248–255, will this succeed? Are officials advising you wrongly, or is the vision flawed? We must earn dollars to repay debts; such measures will not get us there.

¶ 06 Why are our industries closing and relocating abroad? We have the region’s highest electricity costs. Do you have a mechanism to provide a special tariff relief for small industries? For large investors we offer many incentives; what about the small local entrepreneur who mortgages all, borrows from banks, and employs a few villagers? Are there efficient processes for power connections and environmental clearances?

¶ 07 Without such practical measures, and while taking ill-considered decisions, we will face an unimaginable crisis by 2028. You are among the key decision-makers—what some call the kitchen cabinet. You bear a serious responsibility. If you ignore these basic issues, we cannot eradicate poverty nor secure jobs.

¶ 08 You also made remarks about Aswesuma beneficiaries. No one likes to beg. Pride is inherent in every citizen. People seek assistance only when they have nothing left. Do not denigrate them. Every government has tried various approaches—Samurdhi was suspended, Aswesuma introduced. But implementation was chaotic. The very officers who know village data—the Grama Niladhari, Samurdhi Officer, and Development Officer—were distanced due to professional risks under the criteria set by the President. Instead, data was taken from other sources and narrow criteria applied, leading to many truly poor families being excluded, while some with assets and businesses qualified. A year into your government, no corrective programme has been executed. Rectify this quickly—grant benefits to the rightful poor, and remove ineligible recipients, extending support to those still left out.

¶ 09 Buddha taught that one should fill the stomach before giving sermons. With the economy collapsed, first we must help people survive, then move to production, then savings, and then investment—these four steps, in order, will lift people from poverty and take the country forward.

¶ 10 Your Budget mentions focus on children with disabilities, autism, and the broader disabled community. Allocations alone are insufficient. Beyond funds and day-care centres, have we created inclusive school environments? Hyperactive and autistic children often possess remarkable talents—art, design, and more. Our school system must recognize and channel these abilities.

¶ 11 You also propose that 3 percent of public sector recruitment be from persons with disabilities, and wage subsidies for private employers—up to Rs. 15,000 per month for two years at 50 percent of wages. But what happens after two years? Will employers dismiss them? Unless the programme is designed for continuity, it will harm the very people it aims to help.

¶ 12 For elders and persons with disabilities, allowances are often credited to bank accounts irregularly. Many cannot open accounts due to NIC issues, or must make costly trips only to find funds not deposited. With digitalization, arrange doorstep disbursement or service-level solutions through the managing bank so beneficiaries need not incur high transport costs.

¶ 13 Thank you.