The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Minister. I must have missed it. Raising it from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000 is good. The NPP campaigned as defenders of persons with disabilities and special needs; we welcome that, and for the first time you have also brought a visually impaired Member via the National List—we appreciate it.

¶ 02 However, I must add: in the earlier debate I raised many issues, listening via radio for answers—none came. I noted that revenue foregone via tax exemptions exceeds individual budgets for education, health, and social welfare. This Government came for the little people, and also for those with disabilities. Yet the previous Government granted Rs. 966 billion in tax exemptions to big businesses and mega projects. Under the NPP we expected change: why do multinationals and large corporates still enjoy these? With two-thirds and an Executive President, why are these exemptions not removed in this Budget? Meanwhile, the small man pays income tax, VAT, and levies; even a Bajaj three-wheeler costs Rs. 1.98 million.

¶ 03 If we saved that money, we could fund “Aswesuma” four times over. Aswesuma costs Rs. 233 billion; pensions Rs. 480 billion. Under this Government too, large firms still receive concessions. Collect the due taxes from them. If the disability allowance is now Rs. 10,000, why not Rs. 20,000—by taxing cigarettes properly and removing unnecessary exemptions?

¶ 04 Within this very Parliament, basic accessibility is lacking—we struggled to seat former Leader Sampanthan; earlier, Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike had to be wheeled in. I welcome the new law proposed—make it comprehensive, and consult widely. The people must wait another year for the next Budget; please also include those made disabled by the war in the North and East, not only those disabled by birth. For example, in Batticaloa there are 8,310 registered as disabled but only 7,750 receive the allowance. Many thousands in the North-East were rendered disabled by conflict; include them fully in these decisions. We in the North and East lack empowered provincial institutions to act; therefore, we look to you. I congratulate the Hon. Member who brought this Motion. Thank you.