The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, our government’s second Budget has confounded the Opposition. They cannot mount a fair critique and resort to distractions. Some tried to say we are following the same path as former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Let me remind where Ranil failed: he loaded taxes on the people and then used those revenues to reward cronies and businessmen. During the Aragalaya, he allocated Rs. 12.2 billion to compensate 43 MPs whose houses were destroyed—while asking people to tighten belts. From May 2023 to June 2024, he traveled to nine countries at a cost of Rs. 62 million without yielding benefits to the country. That was his economic management.

¶ 02 By contrast, our President and government are managing the economy properly, leaving the Opposition with little to say. They even complain that the Budget Speech took four and a half hours—as if thorough explanation is a flaw. The President travelled across the country—North, South, East and West—to ensure benefits reach everyone. From January 2026, we will implement these development and relief programmes with close monitoring.

¶ 03 This Budget has six strategic goals. We target 7% growth within two to three years. We will diversify exports to increase income. The Opposition says we cannot pay debts by 2028, but we focus on achieving debt sustainability.

¶ 04 On borrowing limits: in 2019, the approved limit was Rs. 990 billion but was revised up to Rs. 2,079 billion. In 2023, under Ranil Wickremesinghe, the approved limit was Rs. 4,979 billion but was revised up to Rs. 13,979 billion. For 2025, our approved limit is Rs. 4,000 billion and we have not revised it upwards. That shows our discipline.

¶ 05 The Opposition now sheds crocodile tears for estate workers. The President has proposed the government contribute Rs. 200 and estate companies Rs. 200 to support wage increases, while urging companies to improve productivity to sustain wages. This is a focused, fair intervention.

¶ 06 The Opposition is staring at the pointing finger and debating the finger, while we are pointing at the moon. We will proceed successfully and serve the people. Thank you.