The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I requested a little more time from the Leader of the House and the Chief Organizer of the Government. As there is some extra time today, I ask that it be granted.

¶ 02 Next, I wish to speak on the Budget. There are several ways to assess a budget document. Society should measure it; you should measure it. If we judge this Budget correctly, we can discern the Government’s economic direction for the year and where the economy is headed. We can also understand the goals of the rulers from the ideas they present. Likewise, our objectives are reflected in the Budget we have prepared. Therefore, these must be understood, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

¶ 03 I also wish to clarify this: if we are to build a prosperous country as promised, the Government alone cannot do everything. The Government strengthens those efforts. There has been criticism about vehicle procurement. These are not luxury vehicles to be distributed among rulers for their comfort as in the past. A larger share of vehicles is being procured to strengthen the State sector, to ensure the funds we deploy yield efficient, productive outcomes. In my Ministry, too, there are vehicles breaking down on the road. Recently, the Secretary’s vehicle stalled in Kandy. We need to replace such vehicles—about 158 of them. Resolving officers’ issues aligns with our larger target: aiming for 5 percent economic growth. Anyone can see from this Budget’s direction that measures are proposed to expand the economy and attract investors. We have removed many bottlenecks you created and laid out pathways to move the economy forward.

¶ 04 We have now moved to a single-window concept. If an investor comes to the Board of Investment (BOI), we have eliminated the old practice of running from pillar to post, collecting stamps and signatures, and created a single-window route through which projects can proceed. Then investors will come through that window.

¶ 05 Further, in this Budget we have decided to provide facilities for small and medium enterprises. Why? Because previously those groups did not receive foundational support. We intend to provide financial facilities to the genuine industrialist, the genuine entrepreneur, and the genuine small industrialist. That is when the economy will expand. Hon. Deputy Speaker, we have decided to allocate underutilized lands to investors. In my Ministry, 6,500 acres will be publicly advertised, allowing any willing investor to apply transparently. Previously lands were allocated through opaque, divisive methods; that is no longer the case. Within two months, we will publicize a further approximately 7,500 acres. We will list all abandoned bungalows and closed factories. When these are published, investors will start coming; dollars will start flowing; jobs will be created. Many here understand this. Then, some become afraid, run around, shout “PASE,” and try to sow poisonous seeds here. That is what they are trying to do.

¶ 06 Why do we want to take the country into the digital mode? Because it increases convenience and brings technology. The President has stated that artificial intelligence should be integrated into industries and businesses. With AI, processes will move forward. We are removing bottlenecks, expanding communications, and upgrading the road network. When we do this, our economy will expand and new employment opportunities will arise. Therefore, we have high expectations for our second full-year Budget. We expect to push economic growth to 5 percent, and the President has said we should target 7 percent in the coming years. You understand this. Yet petty political games arise—things you could not accomplish become painful to witness when we do them for the people.