The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, we debate our policy statement “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life.” It was not drafted overnight; consultations began in 2018 across communities and experts, with a first version in February 2019 and refined through subsequent contexts to the final version presented for the September 2024 presidential election.

¶ 02 The central thrust reflects the new social context that emerged from the 2022 Aragalaya: a demand for governance free of corruption and the primacy of the rule of law. In one year we have driven corruption and theft in politics down to minimal levels, while acknowledging more to do. We have introduced significant political transformations within less than a year.

¶ 03 Rule of law must mean the law is equal for all—wealthy, powerful, former presidents, ministers, IGPs, prison commissioners, police and military. Over recent months, the law has reached everyone, establishing that equality.

¶ 04 For centuries, our people have aspired to a single Sri Lankan nation—Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, Malay, all equal. For the first time, the NPP won 21 of 22 districts, generating broad national trust across North, East, and Central estates. We are delivering on that trust.

¶ 05 Some in the Opposition cite headlines. The World Bank reported poverty at 24.9% in 2024, but also projects a decline to 22.3% in 2025. Don’t cherry-pick. We do not claim poverty has vanished, but the trend is improving.

¶ 06 On fuel prices: Octane 92 was Rs. 344 in July 2024; on August 31, before the September 21 poll, it was cut to Rs. 332. Today it is Rs. 299—down Rs. 33 since then.

¶ 07 On the IMF: during prior negotiations, we were told even as university academics to “go talk to the IMF”—who was dancing then? We raised salaries for all public servants, not only academics. We raised the annual income-tax threshold from Rs. 1.2 million to Rs. 1.8 million and aim to go further, even to Rs. 2.4 million, resources permitting.

¶ 08 On tourism growth: it is near 20% this year-to-date, not 2%. Look at the statistics.

¶ 09 On poverty measurement: use multidimensional poverty, not simplistic press lines. Our task is to create an environment for people to live with dignity—by stabilizing the economy, growing tourism and remittances, narrowing the trade gap, and launching numerous community-level development projects. In our ministry, we have initiated a new Rural Development Agency and started 184 village projects across the island, alongside major social protection enhancements: - Elderly allowance raised from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 (nearly one million beneficiaries). - Aswesuma minimums of Rs. 10,000 and higher tiers at Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 17,500. - Disability allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000. - Mahapola from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500; student aid from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 6,500.

¶ 10 We are stabilizing the macroeconomy while extending benefits to the most vulnerable and empowering communities.