The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, I am pleased to speak on the first-ever Citizens’ Budget presented to Parliament. Thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 The people identified who could rescue the country from its gravest economic crisis and voted the National People’s Power Government into office. To rebuild for future generations, His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented the 2025 Budget, laying the foundation to uplift a broken nation. For decades, failed Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ministers and MPs sat in this House; their failed policies and poor fiscal management drove us into debt crisis. The change of power to our NPP Government came as the country was at breaking point in 2022—proof that crises can catalyze better outcomes.

¶ 03 On the Urban Development, Construction and Housing Ministry: Rs. 5.7 billion is allocated in 2025 for urban development. Under the “Siyath Nagara” project, Rs. 1.8 billion is allocated. Anuradhapura and Jaffna urban development gets Rs. 1.46 billion, and Rs. 400 million for renovating Jaffna Town Hall. Despite having a ministry for years, the public did not experience well-planned urban development; instead, ad hoc projects driven by corruption and commissions.

¶ 04 From my Gampaha District experience: former UDA officials and politicians engaged in malpractices. For example, in Kelaniya, UDA land was subject to forged documents; former Minister Mervyn Silva has been arrested, and former Minister Prasanna Ranatunga is being sought regarding this matter; some provincial councillors and officials are also implicated. In Minuwangoda, multi-storey buildings were constructed without proper feasibility—e.g., a 3–4 storey building with an underground water tank adjacent to fish and meat stalls; nearby, a market and additional structures were built without needs assessment. Many such buildings are underused or incomplete—over 200 in Gampaha according to reports—with no toilets, water or electricity.

¶ 05 At Kadawatha, a 3–4 storey building constructed by CECB at a cost of Rs. 370 million has remained unused for four years. Urban planning must consider future use; instead, projects were pushed to harvest commissions.

¶ 06 We are investigating such misuse, including the practice where 10 per cent of subdivided land set aside for public purposes was captured by local politicians, built on and sold. We invite those who wrongfully obtained public lands to voluntarily return them; we will consult the Hon. Minister of Justice Harsha Nanayakkara to consider leniency where appropriate. Otherwise, investigations will proceed.

¶ 07 Going forward, we will implement a structured urban development program to reduce the rural–urban imbalance that has burdened people. We propose a master framework within which local authorities plan buildings and infrastructure—saving public funds.

¶ 08 Under our strategic urban plan: - In Anuradhapura, we will balance development between sacred and modern zones, allocating around Rs. 3,000 million. - Under Urban Regeneration, 19,400 housing units are planned; in 2025, about Rs. 18,000 million will be invested to commence. - We will prepare master plans for Western and Eastern Provinces and Hambantota. - We will implement the Greater Colombo Urban Development Project, Homagama Tech City development, the Greater Colombo Solid Waste Management Project, and the Kolonnawa stormwater and environmental improvement project.

¶ 09 We must ensure taxpayer money is used for just, transparent and beneficial projects. Thank you.