The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure

¶ 01 [5.46 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, we debate the first, inaugural Budget of the National People’s Power Government. It is auspicious for us and, I believe, largely auspicious for the people. For the Opposition, however, it appears inauspicious, judging by the wailing and lamentation we hear. It will become truly inauspicious for them when results reach the ground and people reap benefits over the coming years—as they did in recent elections.

¶ 03 Had the Opposition engaged intelligently, they would have seen many commendable features. Instead, some only skim the surface. Rather than asking whether the Budget is left or right, they should find their own political path—because it seems lost, with some heading to Nelum Mawatha, others to Sirikotha.

¶ 04 A Budget reflects a government’s economic management for the year and its direction. We do not speak only of the economy, but also of the society and politics we seek to build, and how we will reform the system. Some refuse to see this and flail about. From the Opposition’s speeches it is clear there is fear of the steps we are taking and a sense of foreboding about their political fate. Kabir spoke with flourish; Harsha sounded harsh; Daya sounded anguished. That is what we observe.

¶ 05 We are embarking on a new economic journey. The economy was shattered; you did not hand us an overflowing treasury. The people know this is our first of five Budgets; one cannot judge all five from the first. We remain within IMF parameters due to the debt crisis you left. Yet people acknowledge that this Budget contains major, previously unthinkable measures.

¶ 06 A senior official asked me how we mobilized so much, whether the numbers are real. I said these are not fabricated figures; they reflect what will actually be achieved. Proper post-evaluation can be done next year. There are no lies in this Budget; there are actions. To rebuild a production- and export-oriented economy, we must invest heavily in agriculture.

¶ 07 The State is the largest investor. We have allocated Rs. 78,000 million for rural roads underpinning agriculture; Rs. 5,200 million for fisheries to support fishers and increase catch, boosting growth; Rs. 2,600 million for the livestock sector to reduce forex outflows on dairy and create opportunities for domestic investors and jobs. The tea and plantation sector under my Ministry is a major export earner; we have allocated Rs. 5,900 million thereto. For SMEs and micro industries, Rs. 35,750 million is allocated; for tourism, Rs. 12,660 million; and for large industry promotion, Rs. 2,990 million.

¶ 08 This is a new path. Some right-wing and far-left parties have “jumped queues” to criticize. We say: get in the right queue—had you done so, your political fate would be different today. Looking at Sajith’s, the Rajapaksas’ and Ranil’s parties, they are like empty fruit shells—hollow inside. There is no real Opposition among the people; the NPP is the people’s movement, as shown in the presidential and general elections, and we are poised for a resounding victory at the forthcoming local polls too.

¶ 09 We have cleared the road of potholes left by Ranil and the Rajapaksas. Agriculture and industry will move forward. Our President has announced a National Export Development Plan to be formulated this year—a planned, not blind, journey. We have restored political stability, and on that foundation we will build a new economy, society, and politics. We ask the people for patience as we lay foundations for a prosperous state and better lives.

¶ 10 When you governed, you privileged the powerful and neglected the voiceless. This Government under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake allocates to those without a voice as well: we increased senior citizens’ interest on deposits by 3%; raised the elderly allowance from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000; increased Mahapola from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500; raised university students’ stipend from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 6,500; raised the chronic kidney patients’ monthly allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000; doubled the Grade 5 scholarship stipend from Rs. 750 to Rs. 1,500; and approved Rs. 5,000 per month for children in remand homes. You paid only Rs. 250,000 for disaster deaths and total disability while drawing Rs. 20–30 million from the President’s Fund for yourselves; we have raised that disaster compensation to Rs. 1 million.

¶ 11 We raised public servants’ salaries and will re‑energize the public service. Under your rule, salaries were delayed, money was printed, and recruitment frozen. We have increased pay and are resuming recruitment—restoring dignity to the public service.

¶ 12 The Malayaga (up‑country estate) community, long voiceless, will receive Rs. 7,583 million this year to provide housing, land, addresses, birth certificates, and NICs—tasks you failed to do for decades.

¶ 13 We will also end MPs’ extravagant pensions in stages. We have reduced the Parliament meal allocation that was a burden on the people.

¶ 14 We will restructure the Constitution to prevent the return of your divine luxuries: we have reduced the Cabinet to 21; ended vehicle permits and similar privileges; and will ensure in future Constitutions that such excesses are capped. The mansions and ministry buildings you occupied are now being put to productive economic use. You fed and protected the underworld; now both you and the underworld are in disarray.

¶ 15 This Budget is the start of our journey to deliver “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” within five years. Thank you for the time.