The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, in today’s discussion on regulations made under the IP Act to register geographical indications, since morning we saw Opposition MPs speaking while forgetting our historic context. We are ready to approve these regulations to protect domestic conditions. But ignoring all past wrongs and murders, the Opposition levels various allegations and peddles falsehoods to portray the Government’s position as futile. We know what happened over 76 years. The Opposition bequeathed to us certain “brands”: calling our State the most corrupt in the world; placing Sri Lanka on the global blacklist; branding the country bankrupt—all done by the Opposition. Those brands are now embedded in history. So we remind them those brands are not forgotten.

¶ 02 Many talk about murders. We know when Richard de Zoysa’s murder happened. The other cited murders’ timelines are also known; legal processes are underway. We are not a Government that will abandon them. Many of us here have borne the brunt—bled and struggled—so no one needs to remind us.

¶ 03 We know this law existed long, but without regulations. Therefore, we are now making this a living law—ensuring the frameworks domestically and internationally to achieve the desired outcomes, by passing regulations.

¶ 04 Our country has plenty of brands. Earlier, an Opposition MP gave some good messages. I am from Polonnaruwa—our ancient capital. From history, kings made the country self-sufficient in rice; even today our people are ready to feed two-thirds of the country. We represent those farming communities.

¶ 05 Particularly, Polonnaruwa has many large rice mills with specific brands. Though they differ politically, we have no plan to exclude or dispossess them through these regulations. We will help them elevate their brands to international level. Some say we will take over all property and extract value; no—we are not such people. We are ready to make Polonnaruwa’s rice brands national and international by necessary legal measures and regulations.

¶ 06 Polonnaruwa has many national parks: Maduru Oya, Somawathiya, part of Girithale, part of Wasgamuwa, Minneriya, Kaudulla. Thousands of foreign tourists come and visit our vast paddy fields, reservoirs and ancient sites. We must give them a brand and stature. Through that we can carry our uniqueness globally and build the local economy.

¶ 07 Intellectual property—our most valuable national asset—is our intellect. Due to past politics, many intellectuals left Sri Lanka; we lost that brand. In our term—before five years end—we will strive to bring them back and contribute to future development, establishing the environment through legal frameworks. Thus we reiterate: the only team to carry Sri Lanka’s brand from history to the future is the Maalimawa team. Thank you all.