The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak in the 2025 Budget debate. We see the Government and Opposition making opposing claims. You formed this Government with the support of the people across parties, communities and religions—from North, East, hill country and South—placing trust in you. Therefore, you have a moral responsibility to deliver what you promised, not to behave like past rulers.

¶ 02 The President said each MP has Rs. 10 million in this year’s Budget. We expect you to implement works incorporating the views of the respective area MPs, as in the past. Please do not sidestep MPs; first request is to implement with inputs from all 225 MPs.

¶ 03 You say this Budget allocates more to education, agriculture, and health. Farmers—the backbone of the economy—are suffering. Please focus on their needs with strong programmes.

¶ 04 We thank you for allocating Rs. 1,000 million for the long-needed Vattuvakal Bridge in Mullaitivu.

¶ 05 The Mannar–Puttalam road is vital; it connects North and South. If you rehabilitate it, we can save 100 km of travel. Only three bridges are broken; fix them to use the road.