The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, first I wish a happy retirement to Mr. B. Sisira Kumara of the Parliament’s Sergeant-at-Arms Department, who retires today after 40 years of service.

¶ 02 The President addressed Parliament this morning for about an hour, presenting that issues—gas, diesel and others—are being resolved. Yet, while gas cylinders may be seen on lorries, people in many places still must search shops to buy gas; fuel is similar—issues are not over.

¶ 03 The President says the Government maintains a middle path on the war, while the Opposition throws fuel on the fire. We do not. The President and Government must balance relations: when Qatar is targeted by missiles, talk to Qatar, to Iran’s envoy, and to the US—this is their job. People say there is “no Opposition” today; we do have a duty to present truths and people’s issues here.

¶ 04 The Government boasts of money, but reserves are USD 7 billion. At handover (22 September 2024), Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government had USD 5.8 billion; so the increase is only about USD 1.2 billion.

¶ 05 Tourism brought about USD 450 million per month; now, at minimum, USD 200 million is lost monthly. Fuel and gas now cost more—another USD 150 million loss. Apparel too suffers. About 300,000 coconuts per week were exported to the Middle East—along with tea, coconuts, garments—now halted. Shipping and insurance costs are up; even essential food imports now cost an additional USD 50–100 million monthly. Many Gulf countries tell foreign residents to leave; our workers are stuck—unable to stay or return. Remittances could fall by about USD 100 million a month. Altogether, losses could reach USD 750 million per month. If the war drags on five months, that’s USD 3.75 billion—reserves may be 7 billion, but only about 5 billion is usable; the rest are tied. The Government must plan alternatives accordingly.

¶ 06 To the Minister of Public Security: there are claims that Sara Jasmine is alive. If so, produce her and tell the country; since Easter Sunday, this has been sought. Clarify it.

¶ 07 Yesterday, Kapila Chandrasekera’s affidavit alleged interference by the DG of the Bribery Commission, saying the DG acted under the influence of Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s niece, who died by suicide. If so, the DG bears serious responsibility.

¶ 08 On the QR system: the Motor Traffic Department will not release its database to third parties; even when Minister Kanchana Wijesekera requested it, the Department refused. Now the Government seeks to give it to a third party—dangerous because it contains all vehicle and chassis numbers. A QR can be built based on revenue licenses for active road-going vehicles without grabbing the entire vehicle database, which includes non-running vehicles in garages. Revenue license data exists at Kachcheries, Divisional Secretariats and Provincial Councils—use that.

¶ 09 On removing CESS: if you abolish CESS now, you will collapse domestic small industries—over 150,000 livelihoods. For decades, right-leaning governments protected domestic industries; now a “left/socialist” government is removing CESS? With CESS removed on imports, cheap goods from China and elsewhere will flood the market, killing local producers like footwear SMEs. You will lose jobs and drain dollars—over USD 100 million annually to other countries. I urge the Deputy Minister of Economic Development to reconsider.

¶ 10 On Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS): a court decision now allows SLPS and SLAcS officers to be in the same service pool as SLAS, enabling appointing District Secretaries from non-SLAS streams. I also hear that one litigant from the Planning Service is to be made Chairman of the Public Service Commission. Then officers in SLAS will realize what happens to their cadre. I caution SLAS Secretaries to be vigilant.

¶ 11 On teacher training colleges (Vidyapeeth): for 2023/2024, new intake gazettes have not been issued; recruitments are halted. Retirements are reducing teachers, especially in difficult areas. The war cannot be an excuse to halt these processes.

¶ 12 On the Coconut Development Board: a recent chair appointment is a person engaged in coconut export business—this creates conflicts, with prices changing arbitrarily, badly affecting other exporters. These must be addressed.

¶ 13 We know there is a world war-like situation, and fuel imports are difficult. If gas from Hambantota and elsewhere can be supplied to clear queues, we welcome it. We in the Opposition are not obstructing; we want problems solved. Thank you.