The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, first I wish, on behalf of the Government side, to thank the Hon. Member who moved the Adjournment Motion. Why? Because his Motion states:

¶ 02 “Therefore, I propose that this Hon. House calls upon the Rebuilding Government to implement the policy statement presented to the people under the title ‘A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life.’”

¶ 03 The Hon. Member knows that the policy statement presented by the National People’s Power (NPP) is a document established on principles, deeply studied and founded on policy. He not only accepts it; he also knows that the policy statement of the party he represents—the so-called unified Opposition—cannot come close to ours. Otherwise he could have said, “Your policy statement is worthless; here is ours—implement this.” Unfortunately, lacking that courage and since he accepts the NPP’s policy statement, he has moved that we implement it. While doing so, he also said many untruths. He quoted a newspaper—the “Divaina”—about poverty by the World Bank. It says “poverty has increased in 2024.” The writer, Shyam Nuwan Ganewatta, either forgot or ignored that the same article ends by saying: “This poverty rate is forecast to decline from 24.9 per cent in 2024 to 22.4 per cent in 2025.” That is, under the NPP Government, the World Bank forecasts a reduction from 24.9 per cent to 22.4 per cent in 2025. So, Hon. Members of the Opposition, do not cherry-pick headlines—read the full article.

¶ 04 In any case, most agree our policy statement is excellent. The legitimate debate is how much of it we have implemented in this first year and whether we have taken the approach to implement the rest. We accept that when presenting a policy statement we knew some parts would be first-phase items and the rest to follow. But I challenge anyone to show anything we have done that is contrary to the policy statement. You cannot. You can say some items are not yet complete.

¶ 05 Let me note: in cricket, some “host” countries prepare pitches to suit themselves, only to fall into their own trap. By the end of today, that is what seems to be happening to this Motion the Opposition brought.

¶ 06 Let us consider a few items from “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life.” The Motion’s main claim is that we said we would cancel the IMF programme but did not. I invite you to read page 105, under “Programme with the IMF.” It states: “Re-discuss with the IMF the mode of implementation to include a stronger and correct programme aimed at freeing the poor and vulnerable from their condition.” We knew that some conditions then being implemented caused pain due to actions of the then government. We undertook to re-examine and, in particular, to target relief to the poor and vulnerable. In this period, we have taken steps to implement programmes targeting such groups.

¶ 07 We increased Aswesuma benefits. For students, we allocated Rs. 10.5 billion in 2024 for school admission vouchers and increased it to Rs. 11.5 billion in 2025. We provided Rs. 6,000 per child for school supplies—Rs. 6.6 billion in 2024, adding Rs. 2.8 billion in 2025. We increased Mahapola from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500 and from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 6,500. Under Suraksha insurance we increased from Rs. 2.0 billion in 2024 to Rs. 2.5 billion in 2025—benefiting 5.9 million children.

¶ 08 In social welfare, total actual expenditure rose from Rs. 945.7 billion in 2024 to Rs. 1,104 billion in 2025. There are many such measures. Even as reforms proceeded, we targeted poor and vulnerable people.

¶ 09 Page 105 also says “present proposals on tax administration and public financial management.” Therefore, we must see if revenues increased and whether the fiscal gap narrowed. Inland Revenue collections in 2025 rose to Rs. 1,426 billion—a 16 per cent increase—achieving 65 per cent of the estimate by this time. Customs revenue, aided by motor vehicle imports, rose to Rs. 1,456 billion—up 51 per cent—achieving 69 per cent of the estimate. Excise collected Rs. 147 billion. This shows we are enforcing fiscal discipline and transferring benefits to the people.

¶ 10 A main challenge was economic stability. To sustain it, we strengthened foreign exchange inflows—FDI, exports, remittances and tourism—all have grown significantly. I could table statistics, but time is short. We are not claiming a paradise; we say we have stabilized the economy and averted a crisis that could have become a political crisis and destabilized the country.

¶ 11 We know not every individual problem is solved. Employment rose by 2 per cent, but there are still unemployed youth. We approved nearly 70,000 public sector recruits; in the university I represent, we approved about 3,000 recruits; more are needed.

¶ 12 In my Ministry this year we built 3,846 houses with donor help; under Indian funding and the Urban Regeneration Programme we aim to build 1,600 houses this year and 5,000 urban houses over three years. If someone asks whether that solves 100 per cent of the housing problem, the answer is no—but we have taken the approach. Likewise for safe drinking water.

¶ 13 Let me end by saying: due to the sins of the old economic process and crisis, we have to bear burdens while moving forward.