The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security

## Summary Deputy Minister Jayawardhana defended several Special Commodity Levy (SCL) gazette notifications, explaining that the reduction in the SCL on Pakistani mandarins stems from Sri Lanka's Free Trade Agreement obligations with Pakistan, while increases in SCLs on potatoes (LKR 60 to 80/kg) and big onions (LKR 10 to 50/kg) were implemented to protect domestic farmers' prices at harvest time. He argued that the government's economic management has delivered measurable results, citing Verité Research polling showing rising public approval and economic confidence, GDP growth of approximately 5%, USD 3.9 billion in external debt serviced, and resumed vehicle import approvals. The Deputy Minister also defended the government's decision to abolish the existing MPs' pension scheme, contrasting it with public service pension requirements, and cited IMF Managing Director Georgieva's recent commendation of Sri Lanka's governance and anti-corruption reforms as international validation of the government's approach.

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security expressed conditional support for the Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Sri Lanka Bill, while raising concerns about potential jurisdictional conflicts. He provided background on Sri Lanka's valuation profession, noting that degree programmes began at the University of Colombo in 1972 before moving to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, with graduates registering with an existing professional body to practise in public and private sectors. His principal concern is that the Bill may allow personnel from bodies such as the Urban Development Authority and the Department of Valuation to perform the same valuation functions under the new institute, thereby duplicating roles and creating institutional conflicts. He called for the Bill to be amended to clearly delineate the functions of each body and prevent future disputes that could undermine effective public administration.