The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to speak in the Second Reading debate of the 2025 Budget. The people of this country are listening to this debate with great expectations, watching to see, through the Government and Opposition deliberations, what share will accrue to them. Even at this moment, we know that the distressed people of Nuwara Eliya District contribute to the national economy while enduring severe hardship: climbing and descending slopes, eating simple meals, suffering from illnesses, and under heavy pressure, they pluck around 500,000 kilograms of green tea leaves a day. In the evening, they take the leaves to about 110 tea factories in Nuwara Eliya, and by the next morning, 110,000 kilograms of made tea are produced. Daily, 185,000 litres of liquid milk are collected, loaded into bowsers and sent to Colombo, Kotmale and Ambewela, and by next morning, products like yoghurt, butter and milk powder are made, contributing significantly to the national economy. Nuwara Eliya District is such a contributing populace. We also know the upcountry produces vegetables: annually about 95,000 metric tons of carrots from Nuwara Eliya. Wherever a kottu roti or fried rice is made, a Nuwara Eliya carrot is used. It is a great labour field that supports the economy, while people toil daily under severe cold and nature’s pressures, regardless of Sinhala, Tamil, or Muslim, all contributing together. Leeks and beans are Nuwara Eliya produce. One-third of the country’s potato need—about 50,000 metric tons annually—comes from Nuwara Eliya. Especially spices: annually 400,000 to 450,000 kilograms of pepper are harvested by hand, contributing to the national economy, and about 150,000 kilograms of cardamom are harvested. Suffering thus, people who contribute to the economy are watching to see what this Budget brings for Nuwara Eliya and the nation.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, historically, those who loudly claimed they would bring glory to Sri Lanka consigned Nuwara Eliya District to a particular fate; we have experienced those hardships and become victims of that neglect.

¶ 03 In Nuwara Eliya District, there are about 549 schools. Currently, the Central Province is short of around 6,200 teachers. Among these schools, there are only eight national-level 1AB schools offering Advanced Level Mathematics and Science streams—8 out of about 550. Under the Provincial Council, there are 28 1AB schools, but they are not national schools and lack facilities. Most other schools, far from towns, cannot even meet basic needs. For about 160,000 children, there isn’t an adequate school system. Thus, there are schools without teachers; where there is a principal, there is no science teacher; where there is a science teacher, there’s no lab; if there’s a lab, there’s no playground; and even safe drinking water is lacking. This is the state of the system.

¶ 04 There are 48 hospitals in Nuwara Eliya District. Of them, 38 can handle deliveries. They boast about history and what they did, but how many can perform Caesarean sections? The number is very limited. There are only about 250 to 300 doctors for the hospital network; equipment is outdated; even ambulances are lacking. That is the reality of the health system.

¶ 05 On the other side, in a district that contributes to the national economy, over a hundred thousand live in line rooms and cramped quarters. In scattered hamlets on hilltops, there are houses fenced with sticks and tin sheets—these have seen no solutions.

¶ 06 Road infrastructure is also debilitated. Whether under RDA, PRDA or local authorities, in Nuwara Eliya there remain over 3,000 roads to be built; more than 2,500 km are so poor even a three-wheeler cannot pass. We entered politics through the National Peoples’ Power (JVP) to change this darkness, not for comfort. We came to share the economic dividend of production with the people—for economic democracy—not for contracts, corruption, or underhand dealings. Hence this Budget is important: it is a turning point in Sri Lankan history, a document presented for political transformation. In the 2025 Budget there are many commendable features, especially in education and health. For education: 2018 – Rs. 165 billion; 2022 – Rs. 193 b; 2023 – Rs. 232 b; 2024 – Rs. 237 b. In 2025, we have shown we are different: we allocate Rs. 619 billion for education. That is the difference.

¶ 07 In health: 2018 – Rs. 176 b; 2022 – Rs. 168 b; 2023 – Rs. 322 b; 2024 – Rs. 408 b. In our first Budget, we allocate Rs. 604 billion for health. We must clarify our path firmly; this Budget does that and shows our turning point. Time is short, but to note:

¶ 08 - Rs. 604 billion for a healthier society, including Rs. 7.5 billion for a nutrition pack for 265,000 pregnant mothers. In Nuwara Eliya, nearly 50% of children suffer from undernutrition; some cannot sit five minutes at a meeting and faint. To build a healthy nation, mothers must have a nutritious environment—this Budget recognizes that. Rs. 5 billion is allocated for Thriposha.

¶ 09 - In education’s Rs. 619 billion, notable programs include: Rs. 32.1 billion for the school nutrition program; Rs. 6.4 billion for school uniforms; Rs. 2.5 billion for shoes; and Rs. 3.2 billion to provide breakfast for preschool children.

¶ 10 - Transport: Rs. 483 billion for a quality, accountable public transport service; notably Rs. 2 billion for SLTB to operate about 1,500 buses daily on uneconomic routes totalling roughly 275,000 km—so villages are not stranded at night.

¶ 11 - Welfare: Rs. 232.5 billion for “Aswesuma”; Rs. 311.7 billion for pensioners, addressing issues since 2016, though we know it may not be perfect. Rs. 77 billion for widows’ and orphans’ benefits. Rs. 49 billion as gratuities/benefits for fallen and disabled soldiers.

¶ 12 We also strongly support digitalization: Rs. 21 billion for a digital transformation to rebuild the state and economy, tackling theft, wastage and corruption.

¶ 13 For 2025, Rs. 190 billion is allocated for maintenance, rehabilitation, and upgrading of seven core sub-sectors: roads, bridges, expressways, schools, hospitals, and railways. It may be insufficient, but it is a clear allocation.

¶ 14 As the scholar Kumaratunga Munidasa said, “A nation that creates nothing new will not rise.” Thus, we allocate Rs. 20.9 billion for research and development—ending the era of looting the public treasury and starving research.

¶ 15 Changing governments alone does not change wealth, erase bankruptcy, or clear debt. We changed power to change course; this Budget lays initial steps. We have established a cleaner political culture and begun the first stride of our five-year national targets.

¶ 16 The Opposition, defeated politically, now rallies counter-revolutionary, corrupt, and discredited cliques, aided by some unethical media and unscrupulous business interests. Assassinations by underworld elements are used to paint the country as unstable for political gain. None of these efforts will succeed. The people rally around the NPP because this is a Budget of values protecting all. Through the 2025 Budget, we will steer the country on the right path and do our utmost to contribute. Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.