Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we are debating the Agreement signed between the United Arab Emirates and the Government of Sri Lanka, on which a vote is also to be taken. At a time of a complex global situation, especially with extensive discussions on trade agreements and tariffs, we all understand the importance of such an agreement.

¶ 02 Many in the Opposition, while speaking on this Agreement, expressed their support, which is welcome. In today’s global economic context, these agreements signify more than the document itself. Achieving consensus on such an important agreement projects internationally the economic and political stability of our country.

¶ 03 Among Middle Eastern nations, the UAE is a country very close to us, with which we have maintained excellent relations for decades. Over 300,000 Sri Lankans currently work in the UAE. Through strengthening our economy and trade ties, and by reinforcing our diplomatic engagement via such agreements, we can also better focus on the welfare and security of our citizens working there.

¶ 04 We have signed similar agreements before—about 27 of them. But our greatest challenge is creating the enabling environment and the necessary institutional framework to implement them. Signing is not enough; implementation is what matters. Every step our Government is taking now is to establish economic stability alongside the required political security and stability. We are sending a strong message that fraud and corruption will be defeated. Thus, countries are not only willing to enter into agreements with us, but also have confidence to work with us in implementation.

¶ 05 It is also important to address comments made by the Opposition. A senior former Minister suggested that public servants now live in fear and are not performing, supposedly because of this Government. As a citizen, I am saddened to hear such statements. If political veterans still speak like this, it raises serious questions about how this country was governed for so long.

¶ 06 To the Opposition, a “strong public service” seems to be one that is subservient to political authority and executes private political agendas of Ministers, Presidents, their families and cronies. We are changing that culture—freeing and strengthening the public service to serve people with conscience and independence. The majority of today’s public officials are such professionals, and that is why we see a resurgence, not a collapse, in the service. Those who succumbed to the old political culture will face consequences under the law. That does not mean the public service is fearful or paralyzed.

¶ 07 We see an energized public service willing to work under policy and independently of private political dictates, while the law operates against those who steal, defraud or neglect public duty. That is how a country is built—not by cultivating a group of pliant officials to serve private agendas, but by strengthening institutions.

¶ 08 On organized crime and narcotics: the most common plea we hear from teachers, parents and citizens is to stop the drug trade and save our children. The President and the Government have pledged to do exactly that: end the narcotics trade and the political protection it enjoyed. A doctor who often treats those addicted to methamphetamine wrote to me saying that, regardless of his differences with the Government, he fully supports the current anti-drug effort.

¶ 09 Those who preach culture and morality should welcome the ending of one of the principal forces destroying them—the drug trade and its political protection. Coming here to save themselves with various stories only displays political bankruptcy. Whatever anyone says, we will do everything necessary to eliminate this organized trade that harms our children, families and society. We will give full support to the police and relevant institutions to finish this task. No one will be protected.

¶ 10 Thank you.