The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I am pleased to speak on the NPP’s inaugural Budget. There are two reasons to call this a citizens’ Budget: first, a Government elected by the people has presented it for the people’s welfare; second, unlike past Budgets where benefits were confined to a few segments, this one is genuinely people-oriented and inclusive—uniting the entire nation, including the Uva, the North, the hill country, and all regions—engaging the whole population in development and fairly distributing benefits.

¶ 02 This is a transformative Budget, unlike previous ones. It brings everyone under one umbrella—North, East, South, West, and Central—embracing people long neglected. It places special focus on youth and children because our Government cares about the future generations and the nation’s future.

¶ 03 It allocates funds for nutritious food for pregnant women, and for Thriposha for lactating mothers and children—aiming to build a healthy future society through well-nourished children. To prevent violence against women and children, substantial funds are allocated: Rs. 120 million for women’s protection programs and Rs. 720 million for women-focused programs. Protecting children is essential, as many lack safety even in their homes. Through programs that empower women, we will change the perception that “women are sidelined” and make them stakeholders in development.

¶ 04 To improve the welfare of children in institutions, funds are provided to upgrade care homes. Funds are also allocated for transportation of child offenders, proposing child-friendly transport for court appearances—treating even offenders with humanity to rehabilitate them into good citizens. Through the Clean Sri Lanka program, we will reintegrate offenders into society.

¶ 05 Some in the Opposition say certain manifesto promises are missing. Both our manifesto and the President’s policy statement pledged to integrate estate area hospitals into the national network. Accordingly, this Budget allocates significant funds to health to provide staff, equipment, and medicines, especially to strengthen services in plantation areas—long neglected and suffering—thus matching our words with action.

¶ 06 Under the school nutrition program, the breakfast allowance per child rises from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100. Plantation area children suffer malnutrition; such programs will improve nutrition. This Budget covers all communities, with particular attention to the hill-country community. Preschool teacher allowances are increased—laying the right foundation for future generations.

¶ 07 Amid economic crisis, educating children is a major challenge. Therefore, scholarship stipends for high achievers, nutrition for sports school students, and allowances for trainees in vocational institutes are all increased—because a society advances when children’s education advances, producing a stable society.

¶ 08 We also see a growing youth population addicted to drugs, risking our future generations. The NPP Government has not forgotten them. Funds are allocated for awareness, strengthening, and rehabilitation programs to build a drug-free society—because every citizen of our small, beautiful country matters. Youth are the future leaders; we must not lose them. We are implementing programs to uplift their quality of life and free them from addiction.

¶ 09 As for the plantation Tamil community I represent, this Budget pays special attention to improving their living standards, with Rs. 7,583 million allocated. For estate housing and infrastructure development, Rs. 4,267 million is allocated. Previous Budgets set funds but work did not materialize; we will commence implementation. The NPP Government is addressing long-standing issues like estate land and house title. We are arranging vocational training for hill-country youth—replacing menial, insecure jobs in Colombo homes and shops with skills to become producers and preserve their culture.

¶ 10 Further, Rs. 866 million is allocated to establish smart classrooms in hill-country schools to improve technical education. This shows the NPP Government’s inclusivity—embracing my community and others. The Government has committed to a Rs. 1,700 daily wage for plantation workers. We are negotiating with plantation companies to propose a solution to the long-standing wage issue. I conclude assuring that the Government will resolve the long-discussed plantation wage problem. Thank you.