The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa — Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on our Government’s first historic, people’s Budget.

¶ 02 We are not perturbed by the outbursts of those who think themselves learned and erudite. As our idioms say, “Dogs bark, but the river flows,” and “The moon shines though dogs bark.” We will accept any positive critique, but we regret attempts to ignite society with false, malicious criticisms.

¶ 03 Some say this is Ranil’s Budget, or an extension of SJB, or made by the IMF and World Bank. The President, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has clearly explained how this Budget was formed. On page 48 he says this Budget emerged from the experiences of dedicated, gracious officials and policy drafters, and from the confidence and courage of patriotic professionals — a team aiming for clean, effective, and humane governance.

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, he further says: if you look at the Government’s lineup, you will see disciplined politicians and eminent professionals who have sacrificed personal time and enterprise for the country. Together, we have begun a determined journey. That is why some are agitated.

¶ 05 Much misinformation was spread about public sector salary increases. On pages 43–44, the total estimated cost is Rs. 325 billion over three years; in the first year, Rs. 110 billion will reach employees’ pay slips, verifiable from April. The disaster loan ceiling rises from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 400,000; and the increment scale improves by 80%.

¶ 06 They said this Budget has no vision, aim, or targets. Read the document: expanding and deepening production is our primary vision; with people’s participation, bringing millions hitherto excluded in remote villages into the economy. This is a Budget that breathes life into production with popular participation and ensures fair distribution across society — the farmer’s share to the farmer, the worker’s to the worker, the fisher’s to the fisher, children’s to children, elders’ to elders, and persons with disabilities to them.

¶ 07 We aim for about USD 19 billion in exports in 2025 with detailed sectoral plans. Today, 90% of export income comes from about 400 individuals, but there are many products from deep rural areas that can reach global markets — we have a plan to connect farmers, the rural population, and youth entrepreneurs to export value chains.

¶ 08 Large extents of underutilized state lands will be productively used. Tourism development will be pursued by adding value and diversifying destinations, with proposals included in this Budget.

¶ 09 Some MPs from the East claimed there is nothing for the East. That is not accurate. While we should not divide by province, ethnicity, or religion, we recognize the North as sensitive and have special interventions. Under Indian assistance, nearly Rs. 3,000 million has been received for the Eastern Province, as the President noted, and another Rs. 3,000 million through the Provincial Council for development activities. For agriculture and irrigation: Rs. 35,000 million for fertilizer subsidies; Rs. 5,000 million for strategic reserves; and Rs. 5,000 million for selected crops like green gram, cowpea, red onion, etc. These reach the East as well.

¶ 10 Hon. Minister, your time is over.

¶ 11 Hon. Presiding Member, please allow me one more minute.

¶ 12 Rs. 100 million is allocated to establish youth cooperative production societies; Rs. 2,500 million for dairy; Rs. 7,800 million for fisheries sector development. These too reach the East. For lower-level development under Gal Oya, Rajanganaya, Minneriya, Hurulu Wewa schemes, Rs. 2,000 million is allocated; in Digamadulla under Gal Oya, all — Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim — will benefit; Rs. 500 million is set aside.

¶ 13 This comprehensive Budget develops the country and uplifts people’s lives — the first people’s Budget in history. Thank you for the opportunity.