The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, it will be one year on November 21 since the National People’s Power (NPP) entered Parliament. Within this year, we passed the March Budget for this year, held two free and fair major elections, and from April properly began governance. In the past six to seven months, we stabilized a shattered economy, maintained the rupee around the 300 range to the dollar for a year, reduced the revenue-expenditure gap by 36 percent, and provided targeted relief such as the Rs. 6,000 allowance to children of Samurdhi beneficiaries.

¶ 02 We strengthened State revenue through proper management and collection, curbed concessions to cronies and smugglers, ensured fiscal discipline so that the Treasury now shows surpluses. We have also created a conducive environment for tourism.

¶ 03 Beyond the economy, the NPP rebuilt national trust and social cohesion among Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Catholics, Buddhists, and others. The President took up this challenge, gained support from the North and East at the Presidential Election and expanded it at the General Election. We have fostered a peaceful environment across all regions, strengthening democracy, equality, and human rights.

¶ 04 We strengthened the rule of law equally—ministers, former presidents, all are subject to it regardless of rank or party. We empowered the judiciary and investigative institutions to operate independently.

¶ 05 Under these circumstances, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented his second Budget within a year, with confidence, sacrifice, maturity, and leadership, delivering a comprehensive four-and-a-half-hour Budget Speech. In recent history, no Finance Minister has presented a Budget in this way. Some in the Opposition and on social media respond with jealousy and malice. They cannot present substantive critiques, only cheap shots. As Hon. Najith Indika said, there is no constructive criticism, only noise.

¶ 06 I recall from youth: those who couldn’t fight would come, throw a cheap shot, and run. That’s where the Opposition stands today—unable to critique substantively, they shout and run.

¶ 07 Thank you.