2026-02-18 / debate: Special Commodity Levy Act Order, Customs Ordinance Resolution, Motor Traffic Act Regulations 2026-02-18
Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake opened by noting that the House was considering three regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act, one resolution under the Customs Ordinance, and two orders under the Motor Traffic Act. He then defended the Government's economic management record, citing wage increases across the public sector (from Rs. 24,250 to Rs. 40,000), private sector (from Rs. 21,500 to Rs. 30,000), and plantation workers (from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,750), alongside the abolition of MPs' pensions. He pointed to macroeconomic indicators as evidence of stabilization, including inflation at approximately 2.1 percent, GDP growth near 5 percent, total revenue rising from Rs. 4.9 trillion (2024) to Rs. 5.12 trillion (2025), a doubling of the stock market index, and IMF recognition of Sri Lanka's recovery trajectory. He concluded that these gains enabled the Government to reduce prices of essential goods and deliver broader public benefits.
Hon. Presiding Member, today we discuss three regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act, one resolution under the Customs Ordinance and two orders under the Motor Traffic Act.
On the economy, we have advanced step by step to stabilize it after a collapse. Through orderly, updated processes and necessary laws, we have laid foundations and delivered results despite predictions from some in the Opposition that the Government would fall by April, August, November or December.
Tangible benefits show stabilization: salaries in the public and private sectors were increased without street agitation. The basic public sector salary rose from Rs. 24,250 to Rs. 40,000; the private sector minimum from Rs. 21,500 to Rs. 30,000. The plantation daily wage increased from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,750, despite opposition protests and legal challenges.
We curtailed perks, including abolishing MPs’ pensions, returning benefits to the people. Support to schoolchildren and others has continued. These rest on restored macroeconomic stability.
International confidence reflects this. The IMF Managing Director, in a Daily FT interview, recognized Sri Lanka’s return to a path of strength and stability. Inflation has been brought down to around 2.1 percent, and we have maintained growth in the 5 percent range. Reserves and revenues have improved; state revenue agencies have exceeded targets. Total revenue rose from about Rs. 4.9 trillion in 2024 to about Rs. 5.12 trillion in 2025. Remittances increased; the stock market index more than doubled; exports also grew.
These gains allow us to reduce prices of essentials and pass benefits to the public. Thank you.