The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, for the first time in Sri Lankan history, a Government has ensured a private-sector wage increase simultaneously with a public-sector increase at the time of presenting a Budget. The private-sector wage increase was achieved with consensus and understanding among trade unions, employers, and the Government. A Government alone cannot raise private-sector wages — past Governments only made requests when they raised public-sector pay. Even Governments with two-thirds majorities did not do this. The Malima Government is a political movement representing the working class; thus we see state intervention in workers’ lives as protecting the working people. Designing such a wage structure could only be done by our Government.

¶ 02 We were a fallen country; the people gave us power — the Presidency, a majority Government, and control of many local authorities — to methodically make Sri Lanka a prosperous country. We act to realize our national vision. The private sector represents a large share of our production and service economy across large, medium, and small enterprises.

¶ 03 We also see that increasing the basic wage contributes to macroeconomic stability — a good opportunity for production and services. Entrepreneurs and managers, knowing they must pay these wages, will work to increase capacity and attract investment. Likewise, with better wages, workers feel job security and interest in their work, and continually improve their capacity. Owners and businesses will also increase their capacity. We see this as an opportunity to expand the economy. Previously, youths called it a country to leave; but they made a great political transformation and brought this Government. With wage increases, youths will be encouraged to join the workforce. With a national minimum, ETF, EPF, gratuity, and bonuses rise, strengthening household economies. If we are to build a prosperous country with beautiful lives, we must make people economically strong; that is the pathway we are setting.

¶ 04 By increasing public-sector wages and reducing PAYE thresholds, PAYE for private-sector employees has also reduced. Inflation has fallen; the Rupee has strengthened. For our national aim of rebuilding this fallen country, workers with increased wages will join hands with this Government.

¶ 05 We remember: at first you called this a child Government and Parliament. Yet this so-called child Parliament, through its Budget, has worked to make people’s lives more comfortable. In the coming years we will set and implement all measures needed to build the prosperous country we aspire to.

¶ 06 We note that FDI has doubled compared to last year; 57 projects have received approvals in six months, which will increase private-sector jobs by about 14,000. Business owners are willing to grant these wage increases. While some small groups holding regressive ideas try to disrupt the Government’s forward program, we say you cannot derail our journey. We will make this a prosperous country and, together with public officials, make all our citizens’ lives beautiful. Thank you.