The Hon. Aravinda Senarath

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today is important. Our country’s economy and political culture were devastated over decades by corrupt governance, culminating in a severe crisis in recent years. The people demanded change against those who looted public funds and abused state resources for private luxury, bringing about a political transformation—the National People’s Power Government.

¶ 02 We are debating Regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act. The Opposition acts like children seeking attention during serious discussions—shouting and distracting. Our responsibility is greater: to build a transparent, corruption-free State and Administration. For 76 years no government truly created such a system; that is why we need these Regulations now.

¶ 03 For years, politicians and their networks looted public funds—so much so that certain former rulers could barely walk in public. Vehicles, mansions, luxury lifestyles—all at public expense—and massive theft. From State leaders to local councillors, many used public money to amass wealth, buying fleets, heavy machinery, and land. We came to change this.

¶ 04 We will not forget weddings paid from public funds and enormous unpaid utility bills later hurriedly settled after exposure. We are here to correct this and punish wrongdoing under the law.

¶ 05 Many projects were structured to enable cronies to siphon billions. In Hambantota, road projects have no traceable contractor names. Did the previous “experienced” rulers stop this? No; they enabled it.

¶ 06 Critical institutions were corrupted. Auditor General reports show chassis numbers of tractors used to register luxury Benz cars to evade taxes. In the Colombo Municipal Council’s sewage purification project, about Rs. 6,190 million were paid although the plant has not delivered one hour of service. These are the kinds of abuses we must stop through this Act and its Regulations.

¶ 07 We respect honest public officers and will empower them while punishing those engaged in corruption. The loudest protests now come from those most fearful of accountability. We have nothing personal against them; this is a political duty to repair the damage done to the Motherland. We will take cases before courts with proper evidence; no one will be allowed to escape.

¶ 08 This Government will endure beyond a single term through the people’s renewed mandates if we continue cleaning the system. We invite any sincere opposition member to help rebuild the country, but not to shield crimes. We will make Sri Lanka a nation that can compete with integrity. Thank you.