The Hon. Athula Welandagoda

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, since the first NPP Government’s Budget was presented, we have clearly explained to the people — with figures and targets — its commendable features. The public now understand the benefits. A Budget is for a year, but also a sketch of the people’s future vision.

¶ 02 The Opposition has not engaged with content; instead they claim it is not aligned with public opinion, or that “digitalization” is not socialist. These are distortions rather than substantive critiques.

¶ 03 Traditionally, people looked only at liquor and cigarette taxes or small salary raises. Today, some Opposition speeches tried to romanticize the 74-year curse to say it is fate. But it is clear how we officially became bankrupt on 12 April 2022.

¶ 04 Voters across ethnicity and religion sent 159 of us to Parliament to change course. This is a national Budget aligned with the people’s mandate. We do not need to divide North and East. The previous regimes failed to build national reconciliation; now we speak of Jaffna Library and other public needs. Those who took from us, like China, have become economic powers while we fell bankrupt because there was no plan, policy, or programme — we were divided and dragged down.

¶ 05 Now, in 2025, we are prepared to work collectively for sustainable development. Our theme — “Prosperous Country — Beautiful Life” — is not just a slogan; this Budget embodies capabilities and vision to make it real. We have given nearly a month for the Opposition to propose improvements; we have not seen constructive alternatives.

¶ 06 Previously they tried to turn seasonal issues — paddy, monkeys, peacocks, coconuts — into national crises. We will address real national problems with policy. We have held office only a short time; this is our first national Budget, not a factional one. How do we proceed?

¶ 07 First, human–elephant conflict: Rs. 20 billion allocated to develop over 1,450 km of elephant fences — unprecedented for the Environment Ministry. Earlier governments ignored root causes, letting conflicts escalate — monkeys, peacocks, etc. We will act based on consultation across all districts, forming a true people’s Budget.

¶ 08 Tourism is a key growth driver. A Sigiriya ticket is over Rs. 10,000; the Indian Ocean and Yala too offer nature’s wealth. For 2,000 years, Sigiriya has brought dollars — not built with World Bank or ADB loans. In contrast, Nelum Kuluna yields nothing, while its loans burden us — serviced partly by dollars Sigiriya earns. Hence, we must protect national assets, not sell them, and promote them for tourism. With a plan to bring over 3 million tourists next year, opportunities will cascade through the economy. Infrastructure provisions are in this Budget. This is not a hastily drafted Budget; it sets our direction and policy — combining all necessary knowledge to lift the country and deliver fairness to the people. Thank you.