The Hon. Kumara Jayakody – Minister of Energy

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to join the debate on the 2026 Budget. Briefly, the total primary expenditure is Rs. 4,485 billion, with an additional Rs. 109.42 billion for Budget implementation across ministries. Interest payments are Rs. 2,617 billion, and advances Rs. 10 billion, bringing total expenditure to Rs. 7,102 billion. Expected revenue is Rs. 5,355 billion, reducing the deficit to Rs. 1,757 billion. Additionally, Rs. 1,878 billion is needed for debt amortization and Rs. 109 billion for Treasury bill settlements. Accordingly, the borrowing limit requiring parliamentary approval is Rs. 3,740 billion.

¶ 02 We have stabilized the economy without betraying the public trust. This is not a routine, year-to-year Budget; rather, it advances the policy roadmap of “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life,” laying out 2026 tasks under six strategic goals:

¶ 03 1) Sustainable, inclusive economic growth: - Prioritize investment promotion with supportive infrastructure (transport, highways, communications, digitalization, and energy). - Rapidly develop transmission systems to absorb new power—Habarana–Kappalthurai, Kappalthurai–Sampur, Habarana–Kilinochchi already initiated; Habarana–Kirindiwela, Norochcholai–Wariyapola, Monaragala–Hambantota planned with foreign exchange financing. - Advance debt sustainability and ensure investor-friendly legal frameworks, equal treatment and fairness. - Establish a National Single Window for investor facilitation.

¶ 04 2) Export diversification: - Diversify goods and services, markets, and introduce a Trade National Single Window to ease exporters’ processes.

¶ 05 3) Debt sustainability: - We are on track to meet 2032 targets ahead of schedule—an important achievement—and will continue the effort.

¶ 06 4) Productive economy: - Support MSMEs; add value to mineral resources; promote domestic production of items now imported; ensure food availability and safety; and implement guaranteed price and concessional credit schemes.

¶ 07 5) Poverty eradication: - Integrate economically vulnerable citizens into the productive economy. Today, about 75% of households receive Aswesuma—this must be reversed. Our aim is to progressively lift beneficiaries to higher income levels while expanding opportunities at the base.

¶ 08 6) Digitalization: - Build an efficient, dignified public service on a unified network; network fishermen and other sectors to provide communications and tech-enabled services (catch locations, weather, sea conditions, etc.). - Use transparency and accountability to uproot corruption—expand e-procurement and move to cashless payments to reduce discretion and enhance traceability. - Develop digital technology as an industry: expand communications towers (100 next year) and establish data centres linking energy and digital sectors to attract investment and generate significant revenue.

¶ 09 This Budget is not a jumble of numbers, contrary to Opposition claims. We have achieved much in a year, and with four more years, we can meet our targets with confidence. Thank you.