The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake

¶ 01 Kuliyapitiya too? Certainly.

¶ 02 That means, including Uva Wellassa and so on. In other words, Rs. 11,000 million has been allocated for developing medical faculties, including Kuliyapitiya.

¶ 03 Additionally, Rs. 11,500 million has been allocated to improve facilities and research in universities and higher education institutes.

¶ 04 We increased the Mahapola and bursary allowances by Rs. 2,500 in our first Budget. In 2026, in line with the rising cost of living, we propose to further increase monthly Mahapola and bursaries for university students by Rs. 2,500. Accordingly, the Mahapola will be raised to Rs. 10,000 per month, and the bursary to Rs. 9,000 per month. When we came in, Mahapola was Rs. 5,000. From next January, it will be increased to Rs. 10,000; bursaries also by Rs. 2,500. We also know the conditions of teacher training colleges. Currently, trainees there receive only a small food allowance, which is not fair. Therefore, we propose to increase the “Nipunatha Sisu Diriya” allowance by Rs. 2,500 for them as well.

¶ 05 Only a very low percentage of children with disabilities proceed to higher education, and even then they learn in environments with very limited special facilities. Therefore, to encourage such students from low-income families in higher education institutes, we propose Rs. 50 million to provide an additional monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000. These students will receive Mahapola of Rs. 10,000, plus an additional Rs. 5,000. Thus, a student from a low-income family in higher education will receive Rs. 15,000 per month.

¶ 06 - We propose to increase by Rs. 2,500 the stipends paid to trainees of National Institutes of Education and technical colleges, with an additional Rs. 2,750 million allocated. - Rs. 1,500 million will be allocated to construct new hostels for selected universities—especially Eastern, Jaffna-Kilinochchi, Chavakachcheri, Eastern and Sabaragamuwa—and to repair hostels not properly maintained due to the economic crisis. In future, greater attention will be paid to using surrounding community buildings as hostels for students to foster village economies. - Through the planned education reforms, we aim to strengthen the quality of vocational education and create dignified job opportunities. Accordingly, we will continuously improve facilities in vocational training centres, update curricula, and train teachers and counsellors. In 2026, nine vocational training centres will be upgraded as Centres of Excellence, and 50 training centres across the island will be improved. Rs. 2,000 million is included, and a total of Rs. 8,000 million is allocated for vocational education development.

¶ 07 Our education sector is under reform. Children are falling through after O/L and A/L stages. The current path is O/L, then A/L, then university. We must open another path—vocational education—so students who do not continue after O/L or A/L can proceed. But our vocational centres have not been modernized; acceptance and trust in their courses have eroded. Therefore, we will modernize 50 centres to a high standard, enabling students to enter them, and we will provide education equivalent in value to university pathways.

¶ 08 12. A healthy population for a developed nation

¶ 09 Mr. Speaker, declining birth rates, an ageing population, rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, nutritional issues, and climate change are increasing the impacts on human health. Even with free healthcare, people have had to bear notable private expenditures for their health needs. Over the next few years, the Government will deploy appropriate technology to provide solutions.

¶ 10 We will establish “Arogya” centres covering 5,000–10,000 people to improve access to primary care and wellness services. The first point of contact will be these centres, with referrals then to higher-level hospitals. We propose Rs. 1,500 million in 2026 to implement this concept as a pilot around existing maternal and child clinics and MOH offices, and then scale nationwide with Provincial Councils within three years. Base Hospitals (82) providing secondary care have not been recently upgraded. We have commenced the first year of a five-year programme with Rs. 31,000 million to upgrade all 82.

¶ 11 Ischaemic heart disease accounts for about 40% of total deaths and is rising. The Cardiology Unit at National Hospital Colombo is the largest, but limited space and facilities hinder care for rising numbers, leading to long waiting lists or expensive private care. As a solution, we will initiate groundwork for a 16-storey National Cardiac Unit with modern equipment at a cost of Rs. 12,000 million; Rs. 200 million is allocated for feasibility and preparatory works, with project completion targeted over the coming years.

¶ 12 Thalassaemia patients suffer multiple complications and chronic anaemias, requiring lifelong transfusions and iron-chelation and other treatments, imposing severe psychological, social, and economic burdens on patients and families. Currently, Provincial Councils provide varying monthly allowances ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000 for low-income thalassaemia patients. In place of that, we propose Rs. 250 million to provide a uniform monthly allowance of Rs. 10,000 per patient based on medical recommendation.

¶ 13 - Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) are essential to understand population health and improve services with data. Since the 2016 round, no DHS has been conducted. For SDG and universal coverage reporting and evidence-based decisions, we allocate Rs. 570 million to conduct the DHS. - To ensure continuous services to communities and improve disease control and administrative efficiency, we propose Rs. 1,000 million to relocate Dambulla and Deniyaya Base Hospitals to safer and more suitable sites, due to landslide risk at Deniyaya and severe space constraints at Dambulla. We aim to complete within three years.

¶ 14 13. Inclusive, sustainable development that benefits all

¶ 15 Mr. Speaker, Community Development Councils (Pradesheeya Janasabha/Community Power Councils) have been established in every Grama Niladhari division to identify real needs and opportunities. Government local development programmes will be planned according to needs identified by these councils. These councils bear responsibility to create villages rich in all sectors and safer lives, making people true owners of development and empowering them to prioritize locally.

¶ 16 Under the Community Power National Movement to Eradicate Poverty, we propose to increase the total allocation for the integrated rural development programme from Rs. 4,250 million to Rs. 25,000 million by adding Rs. 20,750 million. Approximately Rs. 1,000 million will thus go to each district for Community Power work. Additionally, each Member of Parliament will receive Rs. 10 million in decentralized funds for proposals. I assure you, what happened in 2025 will not happen in 2026. The right to submit proposals for that Rs. 10 million lies with the respective MP only. These proposals must be approved by the District Development Committee and the District Coordinating Committee, and then by our National Planning Department. No other MP’s proposals will be included in your Rs. 10 million. If not implemented, funds will remain unspent—that is the policy.

¶ 17 14. Uplifting estate workers’ livelihoods

¶ 18 It is the Government’s position that estate workers must receive a fair daily wage commensurate with their service. We have fought for this. We propose to increase the current minimum daily wage from Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,550 from January 2026. In addition, the Government will pay a daily attendance incentive of Rs. 200. Thus, the company pays Rs. 1,550, and the Government adds Rs. 200, making Rs. 1,750 per day. Initially, the company will add Rs. 200, and the Government will add Rs. 200 as an attendance incentive—if they attend 25 days, they gain Rs. 10,000 extra per month.

¶ 19 However, we must reflect on estate companies. Some have not maintained cultivation properly or applied fertilizer. We have very limited land under tea, which is a national, not private, asset. If lands are not properly managed and fertilized, we will take steps to reclaim. Concession agreements end in 2042; after 2042, we will not extend leases. If after 150 years the industry cannot pay a worker Rs. 1,750 per day, what is its value? We will pay attention accordingly.

¶ 20 15. Regional development

¶ 21 We aim to actively involve all citizens, especially rural communities, in national development. We prioritize improving living standards in underdeveloped regions and strengthening social life by enhancing administrative efficiency, social welfare, roads and infrastructure, and economic linkages at provincial and local levels. Accordingly, increased allocations have been made for Provincial Councils and Local Authorities.

¶ 22 - We will give special attention to developing infrastructure of regional administrative complexes and proceed with the long-needed second phase of the Uva Provincial Council administrative complex—funds are allocated.

¶ 23 Monaragala and Ampara are remote districts lacking large private investments in conference and cultural facilities. Therefore, we propose Rs. 200 million to Provincial Councils to commence initial works to build auditoriums suitable for conferences, cultural and recreational activities, and community gatherings in Monaragala and Ampara. Initial works can commence now and be completed over one to two years.

¶ 24 - To complete stalled projects like the Nintavur Urban Council building in the Eastern Province, we propose Rs. 300 million, after proper feasibility assessments.

¶ 25 Yes, the Nintavur building began in 2013 and remains incomplete after 12 years. We will conduct a proper engineering assessment and, if feasible, complete it with an allocation of Rs. 300 million. I recall it was to be named after Mr. Ashraff.