The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, it is a pleasure to speak while you are in the Chair. Before addressing the subject heads, I must respond to a few points raised by the Opposition. Particularly, as per the views of Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, if they possessed such economic and political wisdom, why could they not develop the economy during their tenure? Why did the economy become bankrupt? During his time as Finance Minister the Central Bank bond scam took place, causing a huge loss of public revenue. While we take note of their sermons, we must also recall this.

¶ 02 Another MP said the Praja Shakthi programme is undemocratic. Democracy is the will of the majority. This programme is about working at the village and grassroots level according to that will. The era of working under the power of MPs, Ministers, or the village strongman is over. Through a common community arrangement, every development programme and forward task is organised legally under Praja Shakthi.

¶ 03 Another Member said time has passed, funds were allocated, yet works are incomplete. Who designed and ran the State machinery and structure all these years? Those former governments. If they had succeeded, there would not be staff shortages, and officials would have vehicles, cabs, and office technology. Then there would not be delays. The present government is not to blame for legacy issues, though we accept the challenge.

¶ 04 Regarding Hingurana Sugar Factory, there has been ongoing conflict between the Gal Oya Plantation Company and cane farmers over rights, profit shares, and inadequate income. We have taken steps, and Hon. Sunil Handunnetti intervened positively at the DCC. That was the first step. We then held a joint discussion with farmers and the administration. Farmers requested temporary permission to cultivate paddy (Sanda) in the plots during the three-month rainy spell when new cane cannot be planted, to get interim income. In the past, with the consent of the District Secretary and political authorities, such permission was granted for a portion of the land without harming cane. We proposed that the Board consider a similar temporary measure. However, the Board did not approve it.

¶ 05 Today we are debating two very important ministries. At a time when the economy and political culture had collapsed, the people gave the National People's Power the government, state power, and the Presidency. One year on, in line with our vision, we have executed a great deal for sustainable development. Our land is fertile, rains come on time, and we have knowledgeable human resources, minerals, and a vast sea. Yet after 76 years under supposedly learned rulers, we became one of Asia’s poorest, with a bankrupt economy. That is tragic.

¶ 06 We always said the country can be built. First condition: rightful ownership of state governance. Is it a people-centered, honest movement, or one mired in theft and corruption? Today, as a government, we are honoring your hopes and protecting the value of your vote. Through many ministries we have begun implementing policies and development. Our Ministry carries a humane mandate. We must work sensitively for vulnerable people.

¶ 07 We have about 3.5 million elderly. We must care for them. For low-income elders, we provide Rs. 5,000 each to 800,000 beneficiaries — both the amount and the number have been increased. For persons with disabilities, we gave allowances first to 135,371, then to another 27,217 — now 162,588 receive Rs. 10,000 each. With ILO support, we are providing garment sector training (sewing machine operation) to youth with disabilities. For persons with speech impairments, with IFPS support, we are introducing new QR systems to access services at the Railways and Department for Registration of Persons.

¶ 08 We know around 1.5 million persons with disabilities face severe hardships. We have allocated significant funds and are strengthening mechanisms and structures to intervene. We will continue to function as a responsible government for elders and persons with disabilities, and we hope to deliver large-scale grassroots development through correct organisational structures.

¶ 09 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.