The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, my country, bankrupted by arbitrary public finance management, failed economic planning and corrupt politics, has begun to rise again since September 2024. Accordingly, it is my privilege to speak in this debate on the Appropriation Bill presented under a Government of the National People’s Power.

¶ 02 This is, for the first time in history, a Budget founded on a national productive economy, and also a Budget that has rendered the Opposition silent. Despite sporadic wailing, not a single Opposition MP has presented a successful argument against it. Their cry is merely that what is given is not enough and more should be granted. As I said, we have prepared this Budget devoid of arbitrary public finance management. We are a disciplined party and this is a disciplined Budget for managing public finance.

¶ 03 This Budget has been prepared in line with the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024. Under Section 15 of that Act, Primary Expenditure must be kept to about 13 percent of expected GDP. Within that limit, we have granted all that could be provided to the people. The people of this country are gratified with what they have received in a nation rising from bankruptcy.

¶ 04 Another Opposition claim is that nothing has been given to the Eastern Province. A Budget is not an allocation by province. However, the Hon. President has shown special consideration to the East. On page 3500H, entry 24, the Budget mentions the development of the East—focusing on education, health, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and community empowerment. But Opposition MPs representing the East are still engaged in the bankrupt old politics. They are attempting to plant in the minds of our Muslim and Tamil brothers and sisters in the East that this Government does not care for the East. That will fail. In the last General Election, people across all provinces—North, East, South, everywhere—placed their trust in the NPP. So we tell the nationalists in the Opposition: under our Government there is no room for racist politics. We have ended it. We too represent the East—our colleague, Hon. Athambawa, represents the East. But we are different: we do not ever resort to racism or religious extremism for politics.

¶ 05 Under this Budget, Rs. 500 million has been allocated for youth agro-entrepreneurship development. It reminded me of the farm now operating for youth in Kalugalooya, in the Bandaradawa GN Division of the Uhana AGA Division in Ampara District. The farm has begun and generates its own operating income internally. I invite the youth—boys and girls—of Uhana, of Ampara, and across the East to come to this farm. You will receive special certification and learn new agricultural technologies at a beautiful site. I invite all youth in Sri Lanka to come and see it. As I said, Rs. 500 million has been allocated for youth engaged in agri-industrial entrepreneurship.

¶ 06 In the East, many people are engaged in dairy-based production. Traditionally, there is a large community of cattle herders across the East—especially in Komari, Maha Oya, Damana and Lahugala areas of Ampara District. We have allocated Rs. 2,500 million to develop dairy production.

¶ 07 Another acute issue in the East is the human–elephant conflict. To mitigate it, Rs. 300 million has been allocated. This shows this is a Budget conceived for the whole of Sri Lanka and its overall development.

¶ 08 Past governments created massive inter-provincial economic disparities. According to 2023 data, the Western Province contributed 43.7 percent to GDP; North Western 10.9 percent; Central 10.3 percent; all others are in single digits. Our Government accepts the responsibility to correct this.

¶ 09 Following the recent Aragalaya, the people protected their political rights; likewise, our Government is committed to protecting their economic rights. With that, I conclude. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.