2026-03-03 / Debate: Foreign Exchange Act Order under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 2026-03-03
## Summary
Hon. Chanaka Madugoda (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna) raised several concerns during debate on a regulation under the Foreign Exchange Act. He reported that rural traders continue to face LPG supply shortages despite ministerial assurances, with suppliers reportedly unreachable, and urged the Government to address these ground-level realities. On behalf of the SLPP, he expressed strong opposition to the attack on Iran, citing Sri Lanka's longstanding ties with Iran—including Iranian support at the UN Human Rights Council and the Uma Oya development project—and noted the impact on approximately one million Sri Lankan migrant workers in the Middle East.
Madugoda demanded a Government response to allegations of fraud in a dry rations procurement tender for the tri-forces, raised three days prior with no reply, and directly challenged Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara to return to the Chamber and answer whether the President, in his capacity as Defence Minister, and the Cabinet were involved. He also called for a review of the redeployment of Parliamentary Police officers and urged the Government not to allow the Southern Province Governor to override the results of recently held co-operative hospital society elections in Galle District, in which the ruling JVP/NPP slate was defeated, warning against the appointment of political allies in place of duly elected members.
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. On the regulation under the Foreign Exchange Act, let me first say: as an Opposition, we are not a party that jumps on gas and fuel queues to do politics. We also hope there will be no fuel problem, and we will not incite one. However, despite the Minister’s assurances on gas, rural traders still cannot get supply; their phones are switched off. If the Government is unaware of these ground realities, please take note and resolve them.
We all speak today about the attack on Iran. As the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, we express our strong displeasure and opposition to that attack. We know the cruelty of war; we lived with war for 30 years. Iran has been a close friend—culturally rich like us—and assisted us both during and after the war. At the UN Human Rights Council, when resolutions were brought against Sri Lanka, Iran stood by us. The Uma Oya development project was gifted by Iran. We recall President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s close ties with Iran, and we extend our condolences to Iran’s leadership and people. Nearly a million Sri Lankans in the Middle East now face difficulties; we therefore oppose attacks targeting countries in that region.
At a time when global powers wield their strength, this Government is losing public confidence day by day due to corruption and abuse of power. Before two years had passed, serious allegations of corruption, misuse of power, incompetence, threats to national security and religious disharmony have arisen.
Three days ago, we raised in this House a massive fraud in the tender to procure dry rations for the tri-forces. Yet no one in Government has answered. I invite Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara—who just left the Chamber minutes ago—to return and answer. Was the President, as Defence Minister, and the Cabinet complicit? Please respond.
Further, we have heard that the Parliamentary Police officers who rendered excellent service are being asked to leave their assignments. We ask that this be reviewed in appreciation of their service.
Lastly, in Galle District, co-operative hospital society elections were held and the JVP/NPP (Maalima) slate lost all seats. We hear that the Southern Province Governor appointed by your President is preparing to appoint his cronies instead of the duly elected members. As a party that believes in elections, we urge you not to subvert the results of the Galle co-operative elections. Thank you.