The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara

¶ 01 Recently, during the Hon. President’s visit to China, agreements were signed for USD 3.7 billion in direct foreign investment. At that time, some former Opposition MPs proclaimed from Sri Lanka that the President had merely signed an agreement that others were poised to sign. In other words, whenever there is a positive outcome, certain Opposition MPs try to appropriate the credit. That is the reality.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, given the limited time in this Budget Debate, I will not attempt to speak on every aspect of the Budget. Instead, I will share my views on a few sectors.

¶ 03 Many have spoken here about the public service salary increase, with both pros and cons aired. I wish to focus on increases to pensions. We all know that with the recent economic crisis, pensioners came under immense pressure. Especially those who retired before 2020 struggled to live on meagre pensions. In this Budget, their pensions have been raised and aligned with the 2020 salary scales, providing substantial relief. I wish to record my appreciation for that.

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, after the civil war ended in 2009, we observed strong political trends. Politicians spoke grandly about war heroes, used them to market themselves, win elections and entrench power. We also saw retired military officers appointed as Secretaries of Defence and even as Presidents. I recall that prior to the 2019 Presidential Election, at a protest by differently abled soldiers at Fort, a certain military officer—who later became Secretary of Defence—gave assurances that once in power, he would look into their concerns and grant relief. Regrettably, both retired public servants and our retired Tri-Forces personnel suffered severe hardships thereafter. These are people who rendered an immense service to the country. Many were forced into casual labour because they could not live on their pensions.

¶ 05 During the last presidential election, an Opposition candidate targeted retired Tri-Forces personnel and promised to implement the “One Rank, One Pension” concept. I saw agreements being signed with retired Tri-Forces personnel toward that end, and we too were urged to make such pledges. None of us did, because as a democratic political movement, we commit only to what is genuinely good for the people.

¶ 06 I recall that when he was a presidential candidate, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated at the National Convention of Retired Tri-Forces Members held in August 2024 at the P.D. Sirisena Grounds, Maligawatte, that we would create an environment where our retired Tri-Forces personnel could live with dignity. Through this Budget, we have made that environment a reality by implementing “One Rank, One Pension.”

¶ 07 I also wish to address a few more matters. I represent the people of the Kurunegala District, particularly the Kuliyapitiya seat, where a majority depend on agriculture. We have seen the issues they face, including the lack of maintenance of minor, medium, and major irrigation tanks. In this Budget, Rs. 254 billion has been allocated to revive agriculture. We aim to rehabilitate neglected tanks at all levels, including the Masurankottai Tank, so people can benefit. The Ministry of Agriculture has been alerted accordingly.

¶ 08 Likewise, the health sector bears a significant weight in this Budget. In the Kuliyapitiya area, there are notable deficiencies in hospitals. We have identified these and will take steps to remedy them.

¶ 09 Hon. Presiding Member, my time is over? If I may have one more minute.

¶ 10 The Kuliyapitiya Teaching Hospital is “teaching” in name only; many resources and infrastructure upgrades are needed. We have identified these during recent visits and informed the Hon. Minister of Health. Through the Ministry, we will act swiftly to address them, including procuring a phacoemulsifier machine, two anaesthesia machines, ambulances, and expanding ward complexes—upgrading facilities in a phased manner. Necessary measures will be taken.

¶ 11 Finally, our policy statement set out a targeted programme. This Budget does not deviate from that trajectory. It is only the beginning. We have a five-year mandate. Within that period, we will advance toward the goals in our policy statement and create a conducive environment for the people to live. Thank you.