The Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, people see this as a Budget to elevate the country. The Hon. President has focused on areas neglected before, granting relief, securing workers’ rights through wage increases, protecting students’ rights by increasing Mahapola, and so on. In the past, when budgets were presented, unions and student movements had to agitate on the streets to get anything. Yet now, even as this humane Budget is presented, criticisms continue.

¶ 02 Consider university students: they struggle greatly, yet in this first NPP Budget their Mahapola is raised to Rs. 7,500 and other university allowances to Rs. 6,500.

¶ 03 Unprecedented allocations have been made to health and education; over Rs. 615 billion has been allocated to education—historic in this government’s first Budget.

¶ 04 For orphaned and institutionalised children, this government has been sensitive: a Rs. 5,000 monthly grant, with Rs. 2,000 deposited into the child’s account to support their future—for marriage, housing, or employment when they exit care.

¶ 05 People across the country and on social media acknowledge that this Budget attempts to lift the nation from prolonged distress.

¶ 06 Attention has been given to all sectors: the plantation community and road development, and even to restoring the Jaffna Public Library—burned down 45 years ago and once a national cultural centre and beacon of knowledge. Scholars see this as a genuine attempt to elevate our nation.

¶ 07 Usually, after a government presents a Budget, the Opposition has strong comments. Remarkably, this time they claim, “This is a good Budget; it’s what we planned to present.” If so, why the sorrow? Why the anguish? If it aligns with your plan, you should not lament.

¶ 08 Some Opposition MPs took much time today, speaking mournfully about conditions in the 1980s, forgetting they themselves were ministers until recently—while people in Aranayake, displaced by the landslide tragedy, lived in tents for years despite those ministers and their families owning hundreds of acres. Did they give even a cent or land to settle the displaced? For years, estate people lived under canvas. Did those former ministers fund even a single house? No.

¶ 09 Our government, within three months, commenced housing for the estate people affected by landslides in Kegalle. We have already started foundational work. So do not come here to posture; people know what you did on the ground.

¶ 10 Those who bankrupted the country now advise us. We do not need such advice.

¶ 11 Hon. Presiding Member (The Hon. Presiding Member)

¶ 12 Hon. Member, your time is over.