The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, this morning’s news reported: “The Sri Lankan rupee is Asia’s fastest-falling currency this month.” Another headline: “Prices of several commodities to rise; bus fares likely to increase.” Diesel and fuel hikes push bus fares up; essential items — flour, dhal, sugar, rice — rise as well. The rupee has weakened by about Rs. 49 over the recent period. When the exchange rate moves like a taxi meter, import prices inevitably increase.

¶ 02 When this Government took office, the dollar was around Rs. 295; this morning it was Rs. 344, and now Rs. 356 — rising by the hour. We are not saying the Government alone is 100% to blame, but the reality is that depreciation hurts people.

¶ 03 The Government has been in office for about one year and eight months. You argued earlier that corruption and waste over 76 years caused the crisis. If now there is no corruption and the Treasury has surpluses, then prices should be eased: bus fares, electricity tariffs, diesel, milk powder, dhal. If the Treasury is in surplus while people suffer, something is wrong.

¶ 04 We also see operational lapses: People’s Bank overpaid Rs. 656 million on a forex rate error and is trying to claw it back; US$ 2.5 million of Treasury funds were reportedly hacked; SriLankan Airlines acknowledged about Rs. 800 million lost to hacking but disclaimed liability. These are serious issues.

¶ 05 On the living cost, the Deputy Minister said a person can live on Rs. 16,690 per month. That is unrealistic. Please do not accept every briefing at face value; verify. Perhaps one can “scrape by,” but not live decently. People cannot afford fish; they stretch meagre ingredients across days. This is the reality outside.

¶ 06 On past governments: each era had defining features — Sirimavo’s domestic economy focus; J.R. Jayewardene’s open economy; President Premadasa’s Gam Udawa; President Chandrika’s peace initiatives; President Mahinda Rajapaksa ending the 30-year war and building infrastructure; subsequent periods lacked momentum; then COVID-era shocks. Today, people say this Government relies too much on rhetoric. Rhetoric will not do; face reality. You have 159 MPs; if confident, hold Provincial Council elections and test public support.

¶ 07 Thank you.