2026-02-18 / debate: Special Commodity Levy Act Order, Customs Ordinance Resolution, Motor Traffic Act Regulations

Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe - Attorney-at-Law

2026-02-18

The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe challenged the Deputy Minister's claims regarding taxation, asserting that taxes have not been reduced. He argued that the current government is continuing the economic program established under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, rather than implementing an independent policy agenda. To support this claim, he cited the Central Bank Governor's statement that any incoming president, regardless of political affiliation, would have been compelled to follow the same economic framework.

Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you. The Deputy Minister spoke well—mainly on taxes. My reply is that taxes have not been reduced. You now try to take credit, but you are following the program of Ranil Wickremesinghe. Not my words—the Central Bank Governor’s: even if Anura or Sajith—or a deity—became President, they would have to follow President Ranil’s program. You levy taxes and collect revenue under that framework.