The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, today we are again debating matters alongside the Finance Ministry. The Opposition mocks and even appears to pity our Government. Their behaviour is comical. They speak as if the present, temporary economic difficulties were created by this Government, forgetting their own past actions.

¶ 02 The 2022–2023 economic crisis was caused by those who then ruled this country, who plundered national income and converted it to their own assets. What we face now is a global crisis due to extraordinary conditions in the Middle East. Our country is not exempt; Sri Lanka is part of this world.

¶ 03 Despite the situation, compared to economies stronger than ours, we have kept fuel prices relatively stable. For example, a litre of Octane 92 petrol in Sri Lanka is Rs. 410, while in Nepal it is about Rs. 461 (Sri Lankan rupees equivalent), and in Pakistan Rs. 537. Diesel is Rs. 392 here, versus about Rs. 478 in Nepal and Rs. 609 in Pakistan. We are maintaining stability without burdening people.

¶ 04 Regarding the dollar, we know global conditions fluctuate. When they do, the rupee-dollar parity will adjust. We revived a country in far worse shape; we can manage this too. This is a common global crisis; we will recover.

¶ 05 On foreign exchange, we are not merely talking about numbers in the Central Bank’s ledgers. We are talking about the purchasing power of our mothers and fathers, the predictability needed by our business community, and global market confidence in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It is easy to sit in the Opposition and point fingers whenever exchange rates move. Today, I will present facts.

¶ 06 This Government’s targeted, disciplined fiscal and monetary policies have brought us from the brink of historic instability to a new, documentable chapter of stability. Even amid difficulty, we are delivering services. Let us compare revenues: in 2023, we collected Rs. 2.72 trillion from taxes; in 2024, Rs. 3.7 trillion; and in 2025, Rs. 5.04 trillion, through tax policy adjustments to support development.

¶ 07 Exports over the past three years have also increased: US$11,919 million in 2023, US$12,772 million in 2024, and US$13,581.4 million in 2025. The current turbulence is temporary, and we will overcome it. The President, Ministers, and Members remain focused. Despite the crisis, no development projects have been halted; they continue as usual, efficiently managed for the people.

¶ 08 Please give me one minute.

¶ 09 In Mullaitivu, for houses destroyed by the “Ditva” cyclone, we will provide Rs. 5 million per family to fully rebuild, targeting 1,000 houses this year; approval has been received. To manage drinking water in the Northern Province, multiple projects are being taken up. The President has pledged Rs. 1,750 million in 2027 to fully renovate the 60-year-old Vavuniya District Secretariat building. As a people’s Government, we will not stop services to the people. Instead of merely blaming, I urge the Opposition to propose responsible strategies to lift the country further. Thank you.