The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, a few months ago, last year, a Sri Lankan girl took five wickets against England’s Under-19 Women. Sri Lanka and the world talked about her. She was 14 then, from Moneragala District, and represents Sri Lanka’s Under‑19 Women’s Cricket Team. Each wicket she took tells one story: despite the talents of children in sports in under-resourced schools in difficult provinces, will an opportunity arise within this country for those dreams to blossom?

¶ 02 Yesterday, at the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, I personally asked officials: Do we have a national information system by province, by district and by school, listing sports offered, equipment and facilities available, and children’s national/international achievements? There is no such database. That is regrettable.

¶ 03 In 1948, Duncan White brought our first Olympic medal. Then after 52 years, Susanthika Jayasinghe—raised on jackfruit and yams—brought the next. We cannot rely forever on the grace of a few stars like Sugath, Susanthika, Damayanthi Darsha. Now the State is us. We have a responsibility to address what past governments ignored. In this Budget we have provided allocations to take our talented sports children to national and international levels. We have allocated Rs. 500 million to build specialized sports schools in five provinces.

¶ 04 Our wish is that children with sporting talent across every province—not only Uva, North, North Central, Central, Western—have access to specialized sports schools to hone their skills. As a start, this Budget allocates funds. Yesterday, the Sports Minister also addressed certain issues before officials—which is welcome. The same problems face a child in the North and in the South: a weightlifter ready to compete, but lacking two essentials—equipment and nutritious meals. The Rs. 5,000 monthly nutrition allowance for talented sports children will be doubled to Rs. 10,000. We believe this Budget gives talented children hope for their future and the ability to chase their dreams.

¶ 05 We know that at workplaces, at home, in the community, and even in politics, it is women who are marginalized and harassed. What have we done to empower them? We have allocated Rs. 120 million to prevent violence against women and children, empower women and provide needed facilities.

¶ 06 Even now, there are women toiling under the blazing sun for a day’s wage while silently bearing the pain of sexual violence. There are women bent under the weight of the tea basket, picking leaves for a day’s wage. There are women selling small goods from bus to bus and shop to shop to survive. What is the difference between them and the women here in Parliament? Those women suffer in a battle for life; we here wage another battle—to help them win theirs. We do not see a difference between them and us. Therefore, we give special attention to women’s empowerment and allocate substantial funds.

¶ 07 We also know that when a woman goes to institutions for justice, there is often a shortage of sensitive female officers. To keep these institutional networks functional, we have allocated Rs. 720 million.

¶ 08 By a cruel twist of fate, there are children under 18 who have been named as suspects in minor offences. They too dream to escape that fate and grow into good citizens, and their parents dream to free them from the fruits of those errors. Have we created the environment for that? No government previously thought of this angle; we have. We are focusing on child-friendly transport from detention homes to court and back. Rs. 250 million has been allocated to establish such a system.

¶ 09 Now, why is this Budget different from previous ones? The Opposition may debate whether it is ineffective; we have no desire to enter that semantic battle. Our competition is not with the Opposition; it is with ourselves. If this document can help lift suffering lives by even an inch, that is enough for us.

¶ 10 If the Opposition asks whether this is liberal, neo-liberal, socialist, or communist—we set aside such labels. If this is a human-centered Budget, that suffices for an NPP Government. If it is people-centered, this Budget is fully adequate for us. This is a five-year plan. If we aim to build “a prosperous nation – a beautiful life,” I believe this Budget lays the foundation.

¶ 11 There are pregnant mothers who cannot afford nutritious meals, reducing three meals to two. Urban poverty has risen to 15 percent. Low birthweight stands at 14.6 percent due to food insecurity. This is not satisfactory. Therefore, we allocate Rs. 5 billion for the Thriposha program. I believe, perhaps for the first time, special allocations are made for children with autism and neurological disabilities. As a government with sensitivity, we have paid attention to every facet.

¶ 12 We have built this Budget in an era when the State’s share in the productive economy had been shattered, and an import-dependent mindset prevailed from the dining table upwards. In this broken economy, where every organ is weakened, we present the base to rise again.

¶ 13 Hon. (Mrs.) Kottahachchi, your time is up.

¶ 14 I will conclude, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

¶ 15 Let us come to decisions. But do not rush; give time. Patiently observe. Contribute in every way you can within this process. Our ultimate goal is only to rebuild this country. Thank you.