The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 This is an important Budget Statement. The country went bankrupt; living standards fell drastically; and there are high public expectations as the Malima Government presents this Budget.

¶ 03 People expect improved living standards: to repay debts; to afford a dowry for a daughter; to buy a car or a house—like citizens elsewhere in Asia, such as in India, who enjoy such opportunities. That is why this Government received a mandate when the country was in dire straits—no petrol, diesel, electricity or water, with people seeking alternatives. The team led by Anura Kumara was given the chance to present an alternative and raised expectations. They had supported previous governments of Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chandrika Bandaranaike, but had not held power. They said, “Give us power and we will deliver.” People said, “Let’s give them a chance,” even in the North — “Kuduththu paappom” — meaning, “Give and see.” I asked people whether, after giving them a chance, they were satisfied.

¶ 04 Today people are experiencing the result. I draw attention to the Government’s policy statement and the NPP manifesto alongside the 2025 Budget proposals. The NPP manifesto states, for example (p. 24): employers must bear medical costs and provide appropriate allowances for a worker who meets with an accident until he returns to work. On p. 31: financial facilities for young married couples to buy or build a new house; official quarters near workplaces for public officers; and a housing loan scheme. On p. 39: establish a National Fund for literature, cinema and drama with sustained contributions from public and private sectors; and on p. 41: develop cinema halls. Page after page, but in the 2025 Budget, only about five percent of these promises are reflected.

¶ 05 They made big promises: sell luxury vehicles to build schools; reduce fuel prices by removing taxes and commissions; cut electricity bills by one third; renegotiate or scrap the IMF program; “If you can, pay the debt; if not, leave”; remove VAT on pharmaceuticals and educational supplies; eliminate the rice mafia in one stroke; catch the mastermind of the Easter attacks. Many promises — but in the President’s Budget speech, what we hear is “we hope,” “we expect,” “we plan,” not concrete delivery. There is little to show that these expectations will be met.

¶ 06 For development, four elements are essential: increase revenue; attract FDI; create jobs; and advance technology. What proposals in this Budget achieve these four? Without them — and without boosting production — we cannot rescue the country. The World Bank warns that even a small shock could raise poverty from 25% to 32%. We are in a fragile state; we cannot just keep our heads barely above water with borrowed funds. We must restart production; otherwise, difficulties will deepen.