The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, during this debate on the Supplementary Estimate for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, I wish to note that nearly nine similar Supplementary Estimates were presented in 2024. A common feature in some of these was that ministries returned mid-year to seek additional funds, saying original allocations were insufficient. We also saw in 2024 how Supplementary Estimates were used to fund air travel of Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe. However, what is before us today is not of that nature. This is a step towards recovery from the hardships caused by flawed fiscal policies implemented over a long period by the Opposition.

¶ 02 With the 2024 budget, we showed the maximum achievable state revenue this year to be Rs. 4,990 billion, comprising approximately Rs. 4,550 billion in tax revenue, Rs. 370 billion in non-tax revenue, and Rs. 30 billion in grants.

¶ 03 However, total state expenditure is around Rs. 8,835 billion, including approximately Rs. 1,600 billion for debt amortization, Rs. 2,950 billion for interest, Rs. 1,232 billion for public sector salaries and allowances, Rs. 431 billion for pensions, Rs. 233 billion for Samurdhi benefits, Rs. 1,073 billion for other recurrent expenditure, and Rs. 1,315 billion for capital expenditure. This leaves an approximate budget deficit of about Rs. 4,000 billion. Amidst this gap, we have pursued strict fiscal discipline and improved state revenue across sectors.

¶ 04 Tourism brought in around 1.7 million visitors by end-September and over US$ 2 billion. Worker remittances rose to about US$ 4,430 million. FDI surpassed US$ 4,000 million. For the first seven months, exports reached US$ 9,992 million, the highest on record for that period. Customs revenue increased to Rs. 1,272 billion, with a record Rs. 231 billion in July alone—comparable to our total monthly Samurdhi payments.

¶ 05 Port operations earned over Rs. 24,000 million within six months, whereas under the previous “economic wizards” in Opposition, the full year 2024 port operations target was around Rs. 14,000 million. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation made Rs. 18 billion in profit in the first six months, while Sri Lanka Telecom made Rs. 3,600 million. These earnings support major development projects, especially roads.

¶ 06 As an illustration, in Polonnaruwa there is what people called a “Devil’s Bridge” at Kotaliyadda. On 9 June 2023, a bus fell off that bridge, killing 11 including a university student. At the time, a journalist asked former Minister Bandula Gunawardana whether the bridge would be rebuilt; he said there was no money to build bridges. Under the leadership of Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, Minister, and the Deputy Minister, large projects are now underway in Polonnaruwa. On 1 October, we commenced reconstruction of Kotaliyadda Bridge and nearby Gallelle Bridge. The estimate was Rs. 730 million, but the tender was awarded at Rs. 541 million, saving about Rs. 189 million.

¶ 07 Why these savings? Under past governments, when a contractor won a tender, 10 percent would be set aside for a Member—this is how costs were inflated. Eliminating such practices allows us to reduce costs, as seen from Rs. 730 million down to Rs. 541 million on these bridges. Large projects are ongoing nationwide. Hon. Harsha de Silva said he fears he will have to repay the loans we take. We assure you, even after an era passes, the people will not give you power again.

¶ 08 Thank you.