The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the Opposition sought this debate to discuss the implementation of the pledges in our “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life” policy statement. Yet, as usual, Opposition benches are empty; even the Member who secured the adjournment debate is absent. Nevertheless, we will do our duty.

¶ 02 Our foremost challenge was to act against entrenched corruption, fraud, and waste, end nepotistic patronage, and rebuild a weakened public service. Over the past year we have intervened to correct course. We are acting to suppress crime and minimize drug use and will continue to do so.

¶ 03 The Opposition repeats unsubstantiated claims that we broke promises, without scientific analysis, and shows no interest in engaging with the evidence presented by Government speakers. By contrast, two institutions—PAFFREL and the March 12 Movement—have conducted serious analyses of our policy implementation, studying Cabinet decisions, Bills, and measures, and are continuing their work. Verité Research has also contributed. We welcome such constructive scrutiny.

¶ 04 PAFFREL and the March 12 Movement are tracking 1,333 actions under our policy themes: - 335 actions under “A Sustainable Life - A Comfortable Country” - 181 actions under “A Dignified Life - A Secure Country” - 604 actions under “A Modern Life - A Prosperous Country” - 213 actions under “A Proud Life - A Resilient Country”

¶ 05 Verité Research reported that the Pay-As-You-Earn reform has been implemented. The Inland Revenue Act No. 2 of 2025, effective 01 April 2025, revised tax bands and increased the PAYE threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000. The social protection programme to provide Rs. 10,000 or more per month to low-income families has been partially implemented; we continue monitoring appeals and implementation quality.

¶ 06 They also note the monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000 for senior citizens is partially implemented: after the September victory, we raised it from Rs. 3,000, hence the “partial” marking. Assistance to persons with chronic illnesses was increased from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000 from April 2025—also marked as implemented.

¶ 07 On plantation workers’ wages, they mark “partially implemented.” On rationalizing to 25 ministries with 25 ministers, appointing corresponding deputy ministers, and abolishing state minister posts, Verité has recorded our progress.

¶ 08 Our policy statement, drafted with considerable effort by our National Intellectuals Organization and presented in 2019 and again in 2024, is being implemented step by step to meet people’s basic needs. We will continue to engage with independent analyses and deliver.

¶ 09 Thank you.