The Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the new Government’s inaugural, people-centric Budget has been presented. Rather than substantive critique, many in the Opposition have resorted to populist rhetoric. For years, the two sides that alternated in power bankrupted the economy and shattered social systems; in that context, the NPP assumed responsibility for a broken state.

¶ 02 This Budget focuses on: improving road networks—major, minor and rural; reviving agriculture with practical measures; uplifting rural livelihoods; Clean Sri Lanka; comprehensive digitalization of public and other services; eradicating rural poverty; and empowering SMEs as the prime engine to lift production. It also addresses workers in the state, private and plantation sectors. We have paid special attention to the “Malaiyagam” community in education, health and welfare. Substantial allocations are made for education and health across all provinces equitably.

¶ 03 We also focus on chronic kidney patients with dedicated allocations, and on persons with disabilities—often overlooked—ensuring targeted interventions. Children in childcare and remand homes receive increased support. The Opposition ignores these humane provisions to recycle their standard criticisms.

¶ 04 On public sector salaries—especially teachers and principals, who form a large share of the 1.4 million public servants—the Opposition spread a narrative that no real increase or equity was afforded. Having served over 25 years as a teacher, I can clarify:

¶ 05 Traditionally, Budgets would announce a flat Rs. 5,000, which is easy to grasp. Our Government has adopted a structured, scientific, staged approach; some find it harder to follow. But this time we go beyond what teachers requested to remove anomalies:

¶ 06 - For Grade 2-III teachers: the requested parity level was Rs. 47,615; we propose Rs. 66,880—an increase of Rs. 19,265 over the request. - For Grade 2-I: requested Rs. 62,595; we propose Rs. 81,780—an increase of Rs. 19,185. - For Grade 1: requested Rs. 76,175; we propose Rs. 98,580—an increase of Rs. 22,405. - Additionally, annual increments across the public service rise by 8%.

¶ 07 Thus, beyond removing anomalies, we surpass the demanded thresholds.

¶ 08 Some in the Opposition spoke loudly about democracy, but their record shows otherwise: in a past election, after a banner (“Let us win with Vijaya from Laggala”) was torn down, a death squad murdered eight people overnight. In another notorious incident—the “Alwis Pond” case at Peradeniya—24 youths were brutally killed. Those who now posture as defenders of democracy must remember their own violent past. Do not throw stones from glass houses.

¶ 09 This is a citizen’s Budget. Over the coming months, we will implement it to build the “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” the people have long awaited, overcoming all obstacles. Thank you.