The Hon. Ravindra Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, my speech is on the inaugural Budget of the National People’s Power Government. This morning Hon. Kabir Hashim spoke and again suggested this is Ranil’s Budget — claiming privatization of national assets like Telecom, SriLankan Airlines, Milco, etc. We checked — nothing of the sort is in it. They also alleged PAYE would be charged from those earning Rs. 50,000 whereas the Budget states it starts at Rs. 150,000. Their claims have no basis. If they need to learn how to debate a Budget, study the speeches our President Anura Kumara delivered then.

¶ 02 Yesterday, Dr. Harsha de Silva spoke — lots of assertions without substance. Hon. Kabir Hashim said allocations for research were cut. Yesterday at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science and Technology, officials thanked the Government for nearly tripling funds — about Rs. 20.9 billion across ministries for R&D, including larger allocations to NSF and NRC, and to Rubber, Tea, and Coconut Research Institutes. There is also Rs. 1,000 million to commercialize scientific research.

¶ 03 The Opposition confuses the main Appropriation with the Budget Speech. The Citizen’s Budget 2025 clearly shows Rs. 20.9 billion for R&D across ministries and agencies.

¶ 04 One Opposition MP even sang a song; it reminded me of Gunadasa Kapuge’s lyric: people’s faces show what they really feel — they are spooked by this Budget. They also earlier claimed we would close Triposha; yet this Budget allocates Rs. 12.5 billion for Triposha and nutrition for expectant mothers.

¶ 05 Representing Badulla, I highlight provisions for the plantation community: Rs. 7,583 million for estate housing and infrastructure; Rs. 4,267 million for housing alone. In my Haputale electorate at Kabaragala, people displaced by landslides lived in a tea factory for two years; now we have commenced housing — Rs. 2.8 million per house with electricity, water, roads, and labour contribution, supported by the Army. This year 1,000 such houses will be built. Vocational training and child-friendly schools for plantation youth: Rs. 2,450 monthly for trainees and Rs. 866 million for such schools.

¶ 06 Flour prices were reduced by Rs. 10 yesterday — few spoke of it. Many posted when kerosene rose; few post when prices drop.

¶ 07 Some attack our MPs personally — unacceptable. Many things their “fathers” could not do, we are doing. For children in orphanages, a monthly Rs. 5,000 is provided — Rs. 2,000 for education and Rs. 3,000 to the guardian, credited to accounts. Compensation for deaths in disasters (elephant attacks, landslides) increases from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 1 million. Mahapola rises from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500; other stipends from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 6,500; benefits for glaucoma patients increased.

¶ 08 Elections will be held — postponement is not our policy. Democracy requires elections. “One country, many colours” — we saw in the past how stoking racism led to disaster. Those who thrived on it have no platform now, so they peddle new falsehoods — even about solar energy — rebutted by our Power Minister today.

¶ 09 We tightened our own belts: the President spends only on tickets when travelling, sometimes less; avoids helicopters; Ministers decline official residences — setting examples. Unlike the past when entourages travelled at public expense, we will save and build a “prosperous country — beautiful life.” Thank you.