Sitting of Friday, 7 November 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22710 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Opening and Parliamentary Administration 16 speeches
- 2 Opening Message from the President and Speaker's Certificate 2 speeches
- 3 Papers Tabling of Budget Documents 2026 1 speeches
- 4 Procedural Procedural Motion: Exemption from Standing Order 88 1 speeches
- 5 Debate Appropriation Bill, 2026: Second Reading Debate 10 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Digital Economy
AI summary President Anura Kumara Dissanayake moved the Second Reading of the Government’s second National Budget, stating that the administration had restored macroeconomic, fiscal and social stability after inheriting a crisis marked by debt distress, weak governance and fiscal imbalance. He cited 4.8% growth in the first half of 2025, low inflation, lower Treasury bill yields, stable exchange rates, reserves expected to reach about USD 7.9 billion by year-end, tax revenue near 16% of GDP, and a primary surplus exceeding the 2.3% target as evidence of recovery. He said the Budget continues reforms focused on fiscal discipline, revenue administration digitization, expenditure rationalization, debt reduction and transparent public financial management, with central government debt projected to fall to 96.8% of GDP by end-2026 and around 87% by 2030.
- The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
AI summary The speech outlines budget proposals to support research commercialization, including legislation in 2026 to establish a Commercialization Institution and a National Council for Research and Development, with Rs. 1,200 million allocated for capital support to viable innovations. It also describes the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme as a continuing national initiative covering environmental, ethical, governance, anti-corruption, public service and rule-of-law objectives, with Rs. 6,500 million allocated for 2026. The speech further announces the “Nation as One” operation to combat narcotics, organized crime and related corruption, proposing Rs. 1,500 million for drug-control programmes and 10 voluntary rehabilitation centres under the Rehabilitation Task Force.
- The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
AI summary Rs. 11,000 million is allocated for developing medical faculties, including Kuliyapitiya and Uva Wellassa, and Rs. 11,500 million for improving facilities and research in universities and higher education institutes. Mahapola and bursary allowances are proposed to increase by Rs. 2,500 from January 2026, with additional support for teacher trainees, technical and vocational trainees, and students with disabilities from low-income families, alongside hostel construction and repairs. The speech also outlines vocational education reforms, including upgrading nine centres as Centres of Excellence and improving 50 centres, with Rs. 8,000 million allocated for vocational education development. In health, it proposes piloting “Arogya” primary care centres covering 5,000–10,000 people, with Rs. 1,500 million allocated in 2026.
Education Full speech → - The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined budget allocations for rural infrastructure, including Rs. 24,000 million for rural roads and Rs. 2,500 million for rural bridges, alongside proposals on ageing policy, women’s nutrition and entrepreneurship support, and relief schemes for migrant workers. He announced plans for a low-interest housing loan scheme and contributory pension scheme for migrant workers using Rs. 2,000 million from Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment funds. He also detailed measures to address human–elephant conflict, including electric fencing, deployment of Civil Security Department officers, vehicle and communication upgrades for wildlife authorities, and allocations for fodder, water management, and research-based long-term solutions. Additional funding was proposed for drama, performing arts and literature, while he noted restructuring needs in State media institutions due to financial difficulties.
- The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the delayed second phase of the Katunayake airport development project, previously expected to be completed in 2023 with JICA financing, will now restart in early 2026 at a much higher estimated cost, and linked the delay to past ministerial interference. He outlined plans to improve airport efficiency and develop Bandaranaike International Airport as a regional air cargo hub through cargo terminal expansion and a public-private partnership for cold storage, warehousing, and related facilities. He also announced a planned approach to urban development from 2026, with allocations for feasibility work in 10 towns and specific congestion or relocation projects in Matale, Hatton, and Ratnapura. He further proposed support for local authorities to improve solid-waste management through funding for equipment such as compactors, tractors, and trailers.
- Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
AI summary Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake concluded the Budget speech by framing the Budget as a programme to combat bribery, corruption, drug trafficking, the underworld and poverty while restoring confidence and promoting development. He invited Sri Lankans living overseas and those previously excluded from public service to return, invest and contribute under a merit-based system. He called on the Opposition to criticize and question the Government but not to obstruct efforts against crime and poverty, and thanked Ministry of Finance officials for preparing the Budget and supporting its implementation.
- Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
AI summary Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined a national anti-drug initiative titled “Whole Nation Together – National Action,” proposing Rs. 1,500 million for narcotics control programmes and 10 voluntary rehabilitation centres, along with Rs. 2,000 million to expand prison capacity, improve infrastructure, and use community and open-prison alternatives. He also set out Budget measures for persons with disabilities, including Aswesuma payments, updated accessibility regulations, Rs. 1,000 million for access facilities in public institutions, enforcement of the 3 percent public-sector recruitment quota, a private-sector wage subsidy scheme, and expanded day-care services. He further proposed continuing the Rs. 6,000 stationery grant for students in 2026, with Rs. 9,000 million allocated under Aswesuma.
- Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
AI summary Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined budget proposals for public servants, including Rs. 110 billion for the second phase of salary increases from January 2026 and Rs. 20 billion to adjust pre-2020 pensions from July 2026 based on the 2019 salary structure. He proposed expanded concessionary and distress loan schemes, higher Akrahara insurance contributions, an increased festival advance, and enhanced allowances for teachers in hardship areas, principals, and railway level crossing watchmen. He also proposed regularizing around 9,800 temporary, casual, substitute, contract and relief-basis public sector employees who meet qualifications and have served over six months, in line with Public Administration Circulars 25/2014 and 29/2019. The speech concluded by linking these measures to fiscal discipline and implementation of the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024.
- Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
AI summary The address outlines Budget 2026 proposals to support small and medium enterprises, agriculture and tourism through concessional lending, refinancing, pledge loans, collateral-free loans and interest subsidies, with Rs. 80,000 million allocated for related loan schemes. It proposes lowering the investment threshold for enhanced capital allowances from US$3 million to US$250,000 to encourage SME investment. For tourism, it sets targets of US$8 billion in earnings and 4 million arrivals by 2030, proposes institutional restructuring, destination development, use of underutilized government bungalows with private-sector support, and infrastructure and marketing initiatives in areas including the Western Province coastal zone and Haputale.
- 6 Procedural Waste Disposal Bill, 2026: Debate Postponement and Amendment Procedures 3 speeches
- 7 Adjournment Adjournment 1 speeches