The Hon. Amila Prasad

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you.

¶ 02 We speak today as the country again nears visible economic stress. The Government has repeatedly focused on taxes. A Deputy Minister said in this House there was never a proper tax collection mechanism. Let me respond: our SMEs struggle to survive and, while many are outside formal income tax nets, they are captured indirectly—most notably via vehicle taxes. A small trader who reinvests earnings, then seeks a vehicle—the ultimate symbol of progress—faces some of the world’s highest import taxes. Even via leasing, the State collects multiple taxes. Meanwhile, fuel, water and electricity tariffs keep rising, and waste and mismanagement continue, pushing the economy downhill. The dollar has risen sharply in days.

¶ 03 I asked the President how to bring the dollar back to Rs. 292. No answer. I challenge the Government: if you know how to raise it by Rs. 20 in ten days, tell the world—because that is how fast it has risen. While the PM of India publicly lays out plans with timelines, our leadership opens libraries and gives speeches as prices soar and IMF tranches are awaited. Please act to avoid another 2022‑style crisis. If such a crisis happens, unlike former Presidents, none of us will be able to flee; we must manage this now.

¶ 04 Finally, to my colleague who spoke of “Goebbels,” Sri Lanka’s “original Goebbels” is Anura Kumara—elected on repeated falsehoods and now facing reality. Regardless, my plea to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is: do not give in to despair; the economy is worsening—do what you can, step by step, to rebuild. This week, as we commemorate 17 years since the end of the war, we must also modernize the military and ensure retiring personnel receive due honour and benefits. Thank you.