An Hon. Member

Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe dismissed Opposition claims as falsehoods, asserting that despite the President having addressed the matters in question, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and his allies continue to repeat what the speaker characterised as misinformation. He declared that such claims have limited public traction, lasting only a few days, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to pursuing its national reconstruction programme.

## Summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe highlighted the government's economic achievements, citing foreign reserves of USD 6.8 billion, growth in worker remittances, and strong tourism performance, while arguing that overseas workers' foreign exchange earnings are being prudently protected — contrasting this with what he characterised as wasteful foreign travel expenditure by previous administrations. He specifically noted that President Dissanayake conducted seven official visits to eight countries at a total cost of only Rs. 14.94 million, compared to what he described as billions spent on foreign travel under the Rajapaksa and Wickremesinghe presidencies. Jayasinghe rejected opposition criticism, arguing that the Leader of the Opposition — a senior minister in the 2015–2019 government — presided over a decline in GDP growth from approximately 5% to 2% and accumulated USD 12 billion in International Sovereign Bonds, and was therefore not credible in offering policy advice. He also accused the opposition and allied media of deliberately manufacturing and amplifying the recent fuel queue crisis to gain political advantage, characterising the opposition as unable to mobilise public support independently. He concluded by contrasting his party's parliamentary conduct with what he described as disruptive behaviour by previous government benches.

The Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government clarified that degrees recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC), or equivalent qualifications, are already accepted for recruitment purposes under existing procedures, subject to available vacancies and the conditions of the relevant institutions. The Minister indicated that this policy will remain in place and that no further action or clarification is required on the matter.

## Summary The Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government gave a brief statement indicating that the government will act in accordance with a Court's determination on an unspecified matter, asserting that this course of action should prevent any complications from arising.

The Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government responded to a parliamentary question with four sub-answers regarding graduate recruitment into the public service. He clarified that no general policy decision had been taken on the matter, but that consultations were ongoing with the Attorney-General and Cabinet Secretary to determine necessary policy adjustments in response to a Court determination. Under the existing framework, graduates from University Grants Commission-recognised institutions remain eligible for public service entry through competitive examinations, with procedural changes to be made if required by the Court ruling.

Hon. Uthumalebbe raised two concerns regarding agricultural infrastructure in the Ampara District. First, expressing dissatisfaction with a previous response, he reiterated his question about whether dryers could be installed at Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) stores in Ampara. Second, he highlighted that incomplete drainage schemes — specifically the Sambukalappu–Periyakalappu and Karaivagupattu schemes — have left approximately 11,500 acres of paddy lands across multiple areas in the district chronically inundated. He noted that Ministry-level Consultative Committee meetings on Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation had previously resolved to convene a special meeting at the Parliamentary complex involving Ampara District MPs and senior irrigation officials, but that this decision had not been acted upon, and he called on the Deputy Minister to arrange for that meeting to be held.

Hon. Uthumalebbe acknowledged the Deputy Minister's commitment to fund the Deegavapi–Alankulam road in 2026, then raised a separate concern regarding paddy farmers in Ampara who suffered financial losses during the recent Maha harvest season. The member noted that private buyers exploited the inability of farmers to sell wet paddy at fair prices, and requested that paddy drying machines be installed at Paddy Marketing Board stores in Ampara as a remedial measure.

## Summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe submitted Written Question No. 1302/2025 to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation regarding flood damage sustained in 2022 to the Deegavapi–Alankulam agricultural road and the Wellakkal Thottam low-water crossing within the Akkaraipattu Divisional Irrigation Engineer's administrative division. The question references a specific departmental letter (DI/AM/WG/AP/002/2022, dated 28 November 2022) in which the Director General of Irrigation directed the Ampara District Irrigation Director to prepare an assessment report for renovation, with a recommendation to include the works in the Irrigation Department's 2023 Development Plan. The member seeks confirmation of whether the assessment report was received, the date of its receipt, and what concrete steps have since been taken toward renovation of the damaged infrastructure.

The speech provided is incomplete, containing only a procedural opening phrase where a member seeks permission to speak with the Minister's acknowledgment. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy position was recorded in the excerpt provided.

The speech fragment provided is too brief and lacks sufficient context to produce a meaningful summary. The member appears to be making a reference to a policy-making body, but no further detail, argument, or proposal is discernible from the available text.