The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I thank you for the opportunity to contribute on the Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for 2026. Over the past three days we have listened closely. I particularly noted a clear admission from Hon. Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, who said: “If all 159 of you say this is good, we in the Opposition cannot simply say it is good; we must say something critical.” That, to me, revealed the Opposition’s true posture, regardless of what others said.

¶ 02 We have governed for one year and have moved decisively to stabilize the economy. Two indicators suffice: the rupee has been kept around Rs. 300 per USD (it was once Rs. 363.11 per USD), and the stock market has reported record growth repeatedly this year. Economic stability underpins social and political stability and other positive outcomes.

¶ 03 Much was said about vehicle purchases — that Rs. 12,500 million was set aside for MPs’ cabs. That is incorrect. These vehicles are for government institutions and essential services: District and Divisional Secretariats, veterinary service officers, agriculture extension, and wildlife and forest departments, which today are using very old, inadequate vehicles. People tell us officers cannot come due to lack of transport, even in emergencies like elephant raids. The procurement of vehicles and equipment — including motor graders, backhoe loaders, gully bowsers, water bowsers, and tractors — especially for local authorities, is to deliver better services and generate revenue. Many local authority fleets date from 2007–2015 and are now over a decade old, with high maintenance costs. In 2023 alone, Rs. 3,315 million was spent just on repairs — sums that could have purchased new machinery over three years.

¶ 04 To claims that the public service is collapsing and officers are afraid to work, I respond: the problem has been a shortage of officers. In many places there are no engineers or technical officers; estimates cannot be prepared. We have now begun recruitments: since 2021 none were taken into the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS); now 151 (open) and 42 (limited) — 193 in total — have been recruited, with approval for another 130. Similarly, into the Sri Lanka Planning Service, 146 have been recruited (open and limited), with approval for 37 more. Into the Sri Lanka Accountants Service, 257 have been taken with 211 more to follow; Sri Lanka Engineering Service 191 with 100 more planned; Sri Lanka Scientific Service 86 with 118 more to come; Sri Lanka Architects Service 13 are being processed. Previously, some officers had to hold two or three posts simultaneously due to shortages. We are correcting that.

¶ 05 We have also doubled Mahapola and scholarship allowances by Rs. 2,500. When we were students, the merit Mahapola was Rs. 400 and the general Mahapola Rs. 350; from its inception in 1980 until end-1991, it did not increase. Within our first year we increased these by 100%, and we enhanced the “Nipunatha Sisu Diriya” for teacher trainees as well.

¶ 06 Hon. Chithral Fernando (not present now), a friend from our district, said our Ministry received larger allocations — true, because increased pensions and allowances must be paid.

¶ 07 On Provincial Councils: Rs. 33,500 million has been allocated for the school nutrition programme feeding 1.3 million students — savings properly deployed. For maintenance and operations in education, health, roads, and irrigation at provincial level, Rs. 32,500 million is allocated; and under Provincial Specific Development Grants, Rs. 70,000 million. We have already monitored provinces and they have assured that by December, minimum financial progress will be 90%; the Northern Province has agreed to achieve 100%.

¶ 08 We will channel these allocations to deliver facilities and uplift living standards. Thank you for the opportunity.