The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development

¶ 01 On the basic estimates, there were 2.4 million families. Applications were received from 3.7 million families; about 3.3 million were taken into processing. Within the criteria, 1.8 million families were selected; precisely 1,800,032 by year-end. The additional 0.8 million applications received under the new Government will be reviewed. Selection will also involve a village-level committee including Grama Niladhari, Samurdhi Development and Economic Development Officers.

¶ 02 04. For 2025, the primary funding for Aswesuma is from government tax revenue. In addition, Rs. 72 billion is received under World Bank support. Government expenditure totals Rs. 232.5 billion, of which Rs. 72 billion is World Bank support. I will verify and confirm whether it is pure grant or concessional financing classified as support.

¶ 03 05. On building a sustainable pathway out of poverty: we are moving to empower the public through a programme linking production, investment, savings, consumption and exports. For low-income groups, integrating them into production will allow them to earn with dignity rather than rely on transfers. In 2025–2026, under the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, 25,000 families will be empowered with Rs. 4,118 million in 2025 budget provisions plus an additional Rs. 500 million in expenditure proposals, along with allocations across line ministries and Rs. 2,250 million under the decentralized budget for village-level productive economies.

¶ 04 06. Regarding international trade, focus is on export promotion and protection via the EDB, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Trade and other agencies. The Government continuously studies global developments—both favorable and adverse—and their implications for Sri Lanka’s exports and competitive environment. For 2025 we have a broad plan: - National Export Development Plan 2025–2029 to promote, diversify, and expand markets, linking MSMEs to global value chains. - Target of US$ 19 billion in goods and services exports in 2025, with requisite infrastructure and facilitation. - Stronger use of diplomatic missions for market development; pursuing economic diplomacy, and amending the Investment Promotion framework accordingly. - Strengthening regional and global partnerships through new agreements with a partnering, collaboration and cooperation approach. - Implementing a National Single Window, trade digitalization, and automation of export registration. - Advancing investment promotion, improving enabling infrastructure including ports (notably Colombo), state enterprises and power supply; and, as per Budget proposal 268, developing industrial zones including private management where appropriate. We expect 5% growth in 2025, transforming domestic producers into exporters, integrating further into global supply chains and broadening export opportunities.