The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity. Today we discuss the Government’s first Budget and a transformative Budget to change the country’s direction. We have heard many Budget speeches, but rarely saw reality follow. For the first time, we see a more structured, well-studied Budget. As a Government MP and Deputy Minister, I am privileged to speak.

¶ 02 This is not merely a list of capital, recurrent, or development expenditures and targets; it is a Budget that understands the people’s heartbeat. It addresses previously neglected issues: children with autism, disabled persons, prisoners—especially child detainees—youth fallen prey to drugs, and university students. This shows it is a people-centered Budget.

¶ 03 The health sector receives the largest-ever allocation—Rs. 604 billion. The Opposition focused only on salaries, but this Budget is designed for the people—placing the citizen and the patient at the center. We have short-, medium-, and long-term solutions to eliminate unnecessary queues, and shortages of medicines and equipment. Hence the higher allocation.

¶ 04 Our health sector suffers from shortages of both physical and human resources, and many professionals live with great difficulty. We are particularly examining issues faced by medical officers, including resident doctors who perform a huge task for low allowances. We must increase those; provide official quarters and at least adequate rooms where lacking; and ensure transport and basic facilities—this is our Government’s responsibility.

¶ 05 For specialist and graded doctors, remuneration should not be salary alone; there must be rewards and credit for professional excellence, including a proper scheme of middle-grade posts. Quarters, transport, and transfers are problematic; we aim to upgrade data systems at the Health Ministry, and conduct all transfers through those systems to eliminate undue interference. We also need to provide advanced equipment to specialists and develop family medicine at the primary level, while ensuring apex hospitals have maximum facilities.

¶ 06 Many doctors go abroad for training; not all get jobs there, yet we still pay them outdated allowances inadequate to live. We must review and ensure their maximum service upon return; we are preparing plans. Emigration is not only for economic reasons, but also due to the State’s disorganized systems. Similar unique issues affect nurses, paramedical, and other health staff; we have studied these areas thoroughly and are working on solutions, including fair transfer schemes.

¶ 07 Government wages have increased after nine years. Some misunderstand how allowances rise. We will table statistics to clarify. We have significantly raised the basic salary of every public servant, maintaining a 1:4 salary ratio, and granted the highest-ever salary increment—80%. Allowances like OT, extra duty, and vacation pay are projected to the 2027 salary. OT is calculated at 1/140; extra duty as per the Finance Ministry’s fair fraction—set at the maximum feasible.

¶ 08 In sum, there is a significant, visible increase in basic salary and allowances for officials. We also removed tax burdens on professionals. This Budget is not just numbers; it lays the foundation for Sri Lanka’s future, changing the path we have trodden. To the people: rather than chase figures now, in early April you will see your salaries. Let us embark on this new journey on a strong foundation provided by this Budget. Thank you.