The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I appreciate the chance to speak under the votes of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. Some Opposition MPs presented false arguments to mislead the House and the country.

¶ 02 For Health, about Rs. 456 billion is allocated; recurrent Rs. 52.5 billion and capital Rs. 403 billion. An Opposition MP claimed only 13 per cent is for capital—clearly false. For Agriculture, Rs. 257 billion is allocated: recurrent Rs. 102.6 billion and capital Rs. 104 billion. For Rural and Infrastructure Ministry, Rs. 169 billion: recurrent Rs. 11.4 billion and capital Rs. 157.6 billion. These show this Budget is rational, future-focused, with over 50 per cent to capital.

¶ 03 A historic feature: the oft-declared 3 per cent recruitment quota in public service for persons with disabilities was not implemented; this year, the President announced it will be implemented across all future recruitments, and Rs. 500 million is allocated to subsidize 50 per cent of wages up to Rs. 15,000 per month for 24 months when private employers hire eligible persons with disabilities. This makes 2026 a historic Budget.

¶ 04 On local authorities: two core problems—staff shortages and lack of equipment. We plan to recruit over 75,000, already approved by Cabinet, and allocate Rs. 12,500 million to procure essential equipment for clusters of local authorities to use efficiently—contrary to the Opposition’s false propaganda that this is for MPs’ vehicles.

¶ 05 State media propaganda aside, rural people must be told the truth: this Budget strongly supports rural development, education, and local authority strengthening. This is the second transparent and progressive Budget of our Government.

¶ 06 Public servants receive many benefits: interest-free festival advance increased from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000; disaster loan advance ceiling from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 400,000; teachers’ difficult-area allowance raised from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000 after 20 years. I conclude, noting this is a transparent, development-oriented Budget. Thank you.