Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran

Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran raised concerns about Sri Lanka's foreign exchange sustainability, arguing that current policy measures—including the Central Bank's reliance on high interest rates—are insufficient to secure stable inflows. He highlighted the impact of the Gulf conflict on over one million Sri Lankan migrant workers, questioning what government support would be provided to ease disrupted remittances and financial hardship on their families. He warned that a halt in petroleum supplies could trigger an economic crisis comparable to 2022–2023, urging protection for farmers and fishers, and called for a comprehensive strategy encompassing tourism promotion, sound investment policies, and stronger international diplomacy to build foreign exchange reserves.

## Summary Hon. Kodeeswaran raised several concerns regarding the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and its impact on low-income communities, particularly in the Eastern Province. He opposed the CEB's proposed 13.56% tariff increase for the second quarter, warning it would disproportionately burden poor consumers, and cited a reported Rs. 15.8 billion loss from low-quality coal procurement as an example of mismanagement that ultimately passes costs to the public. He called for improved coal procurement mechanisms, worker protections for approximately 23,000 CEB employees facing uncertainty from the proposed unbundling of the CEB into four entities, and expedited processing of new electricity connections. Additionally, he urged the CEB to relocate hazardous roadside power poles in Ampara and Batticaloa districts causing fatal accidents, and requested that the Government support flood-affected paddy farmers in those districts through the provision of paddy drying machines, subsidised electricity rates, and fair purchase prices for their crops.

Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran raised concerns about the lack of adequate warehousing facilities and a fair price-setting mechanism for paddy following harvest. He argued that farmers are experiencing financial losses as a result of these systemic deficiencies, and urged the Government to immediately establish a fair price for paddy and begin prompt procurement.

Hon. Kodeeswaran spoke during a debate on matters under the Public Security Ordinance, raising several concerns across public security, consular services, and agricultural policy. He criticized the government for failing to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as promised before coming to power, arguing the law enables human rights violations and was unnecessarily invoked during the "Ditva" disaster response. He challenged Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa's comments on the treatment of Buddhist monks, calling for equal treatment of clergy across all faiths under the law. While acknowledging government progress on narcotics control and anti-corruption efforts, he demanded urgent action on severe passport processing delays and reported corruption in Sri Lankan missions abroad — including alleged payments of Rs. 600,000–700,000 to intermediaries — calling for a digital monitoring system and greater accountability. He also urged the government to establish fair procurement prices and proper storage facilities for paddy farmers in the Ampara District, whose harvests have been further diminished by the "Ditva" cyclone.