2026-02-05 / Second Reading Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals Bill, Container Depot Operators Licensing Bill, and Licensing of Shipping Agents Amendment Bill - Member Contributions 2026-02-05
Hon. Amila Prasad advocated for the removal of trade barriers and regulatory delays to lower prices and expedite the movement of goods in and out of Sri Lanka. He made a specific infrastructure request regarding Manning Market, calling for additional entry and exit routes to alleviate traffic congestion caused by the fish market and the fruits and vegetables sections, arguing this would facilitate faster nationwide distribution of goods. The remainder of the speech was devoted to rebutting allegations that he had carried a bag for SLPP politician Namal Rajapaksa during an official visit to India, explaining that the trip was organized through the High Commission, involved multiple parties, and followed standard protocol by placing the senior-most politician — a Cabinet Minister — as delegation leader. He called on the President and Government leaders to include his critics on official visits so they could better understand state-to-state protocol.
Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.
Removing barriers to trade is the surest way to lower prices. I urge the Government to take every possible legal and regulatory step to remove delays so goods moving in and out of Sri Lanka reach their destinations quickly.
I also have a practical request regarding Manning Market. Recently, I saw the Minister who presented this Bill visit there. When a “regular” Minister arrives, access routes get blocked; I was inside the market then and did not see a proper on-site review. Today, there is only one main exit route. Traffic from the fish market and from the fruits and vegetables side creates heavy congestion. With modest investment, please create several additional entry/exit routes so goods can flow rapidly nationwide.
Another point: some claimed I went to India to carry Hon. Namal Rajapaksa’s bag. The facts: an Indian visit was organized months ago through our High Commission; multiple parties participated—four MPs from our party, and a team from the SLPP as well. Protocol dictates that the senior-most politician leads the delegation—in this case Namal Rajapaksa, a Cabinet Minister and presidential candidate. The notion that an opposition MP would be handed a senior politician’s bag—when his security, secretary, and media team are present—is absurd. Such tales are crafted for those who believe any propaganda pushed at scale.
Let me say this: because some cannot grasp state protocol, they malign legitimate engagements abroad. I ask the President and Government leaders to take even these critics along on official trips so they can learn how state-to-state dealings actually occur—and stop peddling petty fabrications. Thank you.