The Hon. B. Ariyawansha

¶ 01 Presiding Member, Hon. Member, both Government and Opposition now debate the 2025 Budget presented recently by the President. It resembles Budgets of past Finance Ministers because it is framed within the IMF program. The development people expected, and the promises made in the NPP’s “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” manifesto before the presidential election, are not realized here.

¶ 02 Expenditure is Rs. 7,190 billion; revenue Rs. 4,990 billion; deficit Rs. 2,200 billion. Various increases and relief are listed through ministries, which we welcome from a people’s viewpoint. However, when a Budget is prepared, consumers should feel direct relief. Three months ago, a kilo of Nadu rice was about Rs. 170; recently it went up to Rs. 300; now the controlled price is Rs. 230, so consumers buy at Rs. 225–230.

¶ 03 Similarly, three months ago coconuts were around Rs. 100; now over Rs. 250. Salt and other essentials have risen. Household monthly expenses have gone up by about Rs. 10,000 in three months. So how significant is the relief? Aswesuma has been increased, yes, but is it enough? The Avurudu Sathosa relief pack allocation, by calculation, would allow only about four packs per Grama Niladhari division—clearly insufficient.

¶ 04 Another major issue concerns three-wheelers—the livelihood of the poorest. There are 1,188,405 three-wheelers; more than 800,000 families depend on them. Yet the Budget offers no special attention. We used to see “Friend of the Poor” and “Guide of the Road” on their backs. Before the presidential poll many bore the slogan, “We are going to Maliyamawa.” Most three-wheelers are 15–20 years old, patched with parts. Imports were halted for about five years. A three-wheeler that cost Rs. 1.3 million now costs around Rs. 2 million; buying new is very hard. Please set aside funding under programs like Clean Sri Lanka (Rs. 5,000 million allocated) to support three-wheeler operators’ associations or individual operators.

¶ 05 I represent Ratnapura, an underdeveloped district with many estate workers and poor infrastructure, yet a district earning export income. The Budget gives special allocations to the North and East and to districts of the President and certain Ministers, but districts like Ratnapura in Sabaragamuwa have not received similar priority.

¶ 06 We welcome value-addition programs for cinnamon and other export crops. Many farmers in Ratnapura grow cinnamon, pepper, and cloves; please extend relief to them. Clove re-export is now a burning issue. Farmers in the South and Kandy once earned Rs. 1,000–1,400 per kg; now they struggle to sell even at Rs. 500. Exporters say this is due to cloves imported from Indonesia being re-exported to India via Sri Lanka. This must stop and fairness ensured for our producers. It’s reported India now buys directly from Indonesia after rejecting re-routed consignments via Sri Lanka; the Minister of Trade and Food Security should address this urgently.

¶ 07 Gem industry is also vital in Ratnapura, bringing large export income. Even if no direct allocation is made, please design relief for those in the industry and resolve legal bottlenecks that hinder river-based mining. Penalties and bail cancellations occur; we need a workable, legal framework that does not cripple livelihoods.

¶ 08 We hear talk of a “76-year curse,” but past governments did build tanks and canals and made the country self-sufficient in rice. Let this Government too bring practical relief and development. I conclude.