The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member, for the time to speak.

¶ 02 Regulating gambling is important. As discussed in this House and as we know, people in our country do gamble, including lotteries like 91860 and other forms of betting. Gambling has taken place throughout history, so regulating such an industry is timely.

¶ 03 However, the public should remember the falsehoods that were spread when the present Government was in Opposition. They misled the people with lies, portraying development projects, businesses, and authorities as threats. One such issue was casinos. We remember how they spoke about James Packer and claimed he would make billions through casinos here, that people would be ruined, and the country destroyed. Today, those who said those things are in Government, and those lies have been exposed. The “rice mafia crushed in 24 hours,” “bring bank books and we will teach national security,” “the underworld will be wiped out,” “the former Central Bank Governor will be brought back within 24 hours,” “plane-loads of money will be brought from Uganda”—these were all lies the people now understand.

¶ 04 They told so many lies that even a ship could not carry them. But we in the Opposition will not be petty.

¶ 05 They once asked whether we should cultivate and sell cannabis to make money. Today, the world regulates cannabis—hemp cream, hemp oil, and CBD are used medicinally. Developed countries implement such regimes. The intoxicating component THC is distinct from CBD used for hemp. The world has advanced, but they lied then, and may do so in future. The people must be vigilant.

¶ 06 One rationale offered for regulating gambling is tourism. But what has happened to tourism? Sri Lankans cannot lawfully enter casinos; illegal activity may or may not occur—we do not know. Tourists come to enjoy the beauty of our country and engage in activities. Yet paramotors at Beruwala are disallowed; water sports are popular in Sri Lanka; Arugam Bay is among the world’s top surfing destinations. On one hand, we invite tourists; on the other, we remove the very opportunities for enjoyment. Nightlife—events and beach parties—are shut by 10.00 p.m. We need to create an environment for tourists to enjoy the country by day and night. We have not done so.

¶ 07 We are regulating even live music late into the night. Families who come here should have space to relax together. This Government has hindered that.

¶ 08 Remember, tourism suffered most during COVID-19. In my Negombo electorate, nearly 50 per cent of people depend on tourism and fisheries. Many entrepreneurs took loans and built businesses, which collapsed after the Easter attacks and then COVID-19. With moratoria ending, they have fallen into serial indebtedness and are now being forced to sell businesses. While we bring tourists, we do not facilitate those in the sector with accommodation and transport to serve them. In other countries, visiting tourists rent rooms and taxis; drivers get airport permits and take tourists around.

¶ 09 This Government claims to be rebuilding tourism, but if so, it is failing.

¶ 10 Look at the streets: farmers, postal workers, teachers, public sector staff are protesting; a person climbed a light pole near the Presidential Secretariat; youth in the North were protesting over land issues. Under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa it took more than a year for people to come before the Secretariat. Under this Government, in less than a year, people are in the streets without political leadership. Youth groups, CEB staff, and health sector officers are protesting.

¶ 11 Government speakers boast that revenue has increased. It did not rise due to investments or development projects or grants; it rose from taxes paid by the people. Yet hospitals lack basic supplies. Go and see. Vehicles worth a billion dollars have been imported, but doctors serving in our hospitals have not been given vehicle permits. If others can import vehicles—apparently a billion dollars’ worth—why are vehicle permits not issued to our doctors who remain to serve innocent patients rather than leaving for richer countries? Only about 25,000 public servants are eligible to import vehicles on permits. Permits have been issued, but why are they not allowed to import?

¶ 12 Further, fisheries bring in dollars. In Negombo, the beach-seine (madal) industry is collapsing. The President of the All-Island Beach-Seine Owners’ Association, Rev. Lester Nonis, is deeply distressed. The Government is undermining the madal industry—moving to ban winching, creating a major problem. The President promised new technology—satellites to show where fish are—but instead of bringing modern tech, they are restricting even existing methods, hitting fishers’ livelihoods. Even if the Government grows rich on tax revenue, it is useless if the people are poor. If our people are hungry and suffering on the streets, a rich Government is meaningless.

¶ 13 Thank you for the time, Hon. Presiding Member.