• Claims number of foreign elements are involved in Sri Lanka’s affairs
• Blames former UNP led Govt. for country’s heavy debt burden
• Calls on all parties to formulate an unchangeable national policy for country
• Asks opponents to stop weaponising tears and troubles of the people 
• Says all parties must support Budget subject to amendments 

Former Prime Minister and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday told in Parliament that selling national assets is not the policy of his faction despite the economic circumstances. 

Noting that the Budget has proposed the restructuring of several state enterprises including profit-making institutions, Rajapaksa said loss-making enterprises must be turned into profit-making ventures instead. 

Rajapaksa made these comments while attending the Budget debate in parliament yesterday ahead of the second reading vote. 

Rajapaksa said his faction has always carried out its responsibilities to benefit the people of Sri Lanka and will continue to do so. Rajapaksa blamed the economic crisis on internal and external parties with vested interests. 

“It has been revealed who was behind the crisis. The people will come to know more information in the near future. These elements are not letting this country rise. Instead, they attempt to ensure the country’s downfall,” he alleged. He called on all parties to set aside party divides to formulate a national policy that will not change with a change of Government. “If not we will leave the people with a policy-less state,” he said. 

Claiming the interference of foreign elements has increased in recent times, Rajapaksa blamed them for the destruction of Sri Lanka’s economy. “It was their puppets who put on a show recently. The economic collapse was an organised act. They caused the destruction of the economy. As evidenced by past incidents these groups have acted in the same manner every time the country was making progress,” he said. 

Rajapaksa also took the opportunity to blame the former ‘Good Governance’ Government for the country’s debt burden. 

“If one was to ask why we are in this current situation, the attempts to describe the causes in the current contexts often conceal the truth from history. As you know the Good Governance Government took out the largest stock of debt in the shortest time period. In fact, we accrued an unbearable amount of debt. This is not a secret to either this house or the country. Certain persons who are now advising on how to rebuild the economy were part of that Government despite feigning ignorance. 

“When attempts are made to give them the responsibility to carry these out they refuse to do so. They only want to criticise and play popular politics by appearing to be heroes. But I would like to remind the people that we have no need for heroism of this nature. Our policy is to face the issues head-on. Therefore we have not abandoned our people, and neither will we do so.” he said. 

Rajapaksa said the Government led by him took over the country along with its mountain of debts. “We managed the Easter Sunday attack and Covid-19 with the greatest of difficulties. We have come forward while rectifying the many issues that cropped up as a result. However, at times the people too were burdened with certain pressures. Even though we can ask them to be patient, the people coming forward with their problems was not a coincidence. But some took political advantage of this.” he alleged. 

Noting that some decisions taken by the former Government were incorrect, Rajapaksa preached the futility of discussing them. Instead, he said the wrongs must be rectified to take the country forward. The MP went on to list a host of proposals to revive the country’s economy through the generation of revenue and foreign exchange.

“We must restructure our debt and reduce the budget deficit. We must increase revenue. Loss-making ventures must be made profitable and economic reforms must be carried out to earn foreign exchange. We must look into if we are receiving export revenue as due. The responsible agencies must act regarding these.” he said. 

Commenting on the budget he noted many commendable views have been expressed in parliament on it.  “The President as the Minister of Finance has said the foundation needed to create a new economy will be introduced through this budget. If such an economy is to be created there are many short-term and long-term steps that must be taken. All of this must be understood in line with the current global economic and political realities. We will only be able to herald a bright future if we follow such a strategic plan,” Rajapaksa said, adding that it is imperative for all to support it subject to amendments.

He also commended that the budget is looking to take forward many proposals implemented by the SLPP Government. However, he said it was now more important to discuss a program to lessen the burden on the people. “There is no benefit to the people by merely presenting the budget or by inciting them,” he noted. 

The former prime minister also highlighted the need to implement a social security net. “All parties must take an interest in this. They should not continue to use the tears and troubles of the people as a political weapon,” he added, assuring the people his faction will continue to serve them.  

2023 Budget through at second reading with 37 majority votes