Hon. Nanda Bandara

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Today we debate an Order and a Notice under important Finance Acts: first, the embarkation levy at MRIA operations, and second, the luxury tax on vehicle imports.

¶ 02 First, our politics is stabilizing; the economy is steadily strengthening; cultural reform is also underway. To stabilize the economy, we must raise our dollar reserves. Remittances and tourism are key. In that context, reducing the USD 60 embarkation levy embedded in tickets by 50% — to USD 30 — is prudent. MRIA operates about four flights a day; they will get a 100% waiver. Ratmalana, Katunayake, and Jaffna get the reduction, extended by a year, to bolster reserves.

¶ 03 Tourist arrivals are increasing, strengthening reserves. From 2027 we must start repaying principal and interest on debts taken by previous rulers who mortgaged people’s lives. To pay those, we must minimize state expenses and end corruption. The Malimawa Government is cutting state expenditure to record lows and protecting reserves. The Opposition tries to inflate small matters into big narratives, but it will not succeed.

¶ 04 People vested power in us with great trust and hope. We are moving on a steady path without betraying that trust. While we expand operations at Ratmalana, Katunayake, and Jaffna, we can attract more tourists even without massive investments, as we have a clear policy.

¶ 05 Second, vehicle imports were entirely halted for five years by those who bankrupted the country. Restarting imports is a good decision, with conditions to quickly sell vehicles without draining dollars. We also raised the luxury tax threshold from Rs. 3.5 million to Rs. 5 million — a tax relief to the public.

¶ 06 As the economy and politics stabilize, the international community views Sri Lanka with an open mind, hence the support we now receive from around the world. Whatever baseless charges the disorganized Opposition makes, the Malimawa Government will keep them in Opposition.

¶ 07 We are purifying political culture and stabilizing the economy. Aviation operations play a decisive role. We plan major investments in industry and agriculture; policies are prepared. Our leadership — the President and Prime Minister — will safeguard the Government, people’s lives and property, overcoming obstacles.

¶ 08 We invite the Opposition to present constructive proposals; we will adopt them. But we will not accept destructive suggestions. We will further expand airport operations to increase revenue.

¶ 09 On vehicle imports, to protect dollar reserves we have opened under limits so the lower and middle classes can buy vehicles, while safeguarding reserves and improving livelihoods.

¶ 10 All morning we heard Opposition members daydreaming about forming governments in August or December. With a stable Malimawa Government, they cannot break our unity.

¶ 11 International partners now support us; investors who left are returning as no one demands bribes. With a healthy economy, more will come. A revolutionary transformation will occur in agriculture; and significant growth in small and medium industries. We are ready to do what it takes. We are policy-driven and will not bow to pressures; we will build a stable country and economy, strengthening national unity among all communities, and defeat attempts to break it. Regarding Ranaviru commemorations, the NPP is the political movement capable of building true national unity and a country without war and bloodshed. I conclude. Thank you.