The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways

Deputy Minister Gunasena delivered a wide-ranging defence of the NPP government's economic and political performance, rejecting Opposition criticism as politically motivated. He cited record economic indicators for 2025, including a current account surplus of USD 1,733 million, remittances of USD 8.1 billion, goods and services exports of USD 17.218 billion, FDI of USD 1,057 million, and tourism revenue of USD 3.2 billion, describing each as the highest on record. He also highlighted revenue milestones across Sri Lanka Customs, Excise, and Inland Revenue departments, and noted GDP growth accelerating through 2025 (Q1: 4.8%, Q2: 4.9%, Q3: 5.4%) alongside foreign reserves reaching USD 6.8 billion. On political reform, he referenced reductions in executive benefits, ministerial salary curtailments, the abolition of certain pension categories, improved anti-corruption institutional independence, and a 14-place rise on the Corruption Perceptions Index as evidence of the government fulfilling its transformation mandate within one year.