The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, the previous speaker referred to MP allocations. The implication was that Opposition MPs are denied decentralized funds because they misuse them. I must say, cutting Opposition allocations is an egregious act. We, too, came here by people’s votes. It is deeply regrettable that we cannot undertake local works through our allocations.

¶ 02 Looking at the 2026 Budget—and last year’s, too—this is a continuation of old promises. We recall how the current President, when in Opposition, spoke up for public servants, took to the streets for their rights. Today the same Government tells them to be patient. The revolutionary or just changes people expected have not materialized. When the 2025 Budget was presented, people were hopeful; by the end of 2025, many aspirations remain unmet.

¶ 03 People expected transparency—from Government and the State machinery. Yet we hear of seven secret agreements with India. We in Parliament, and the people, do not know their contents. Likewise, while seeking US tax concessions, what commitments were made? The Government has kept these opaque. On the issue of 323 containers, the Opposition asked that the Presidential Commission report be tabled. To date, it has not been tabled; only the responsible Minister was removed. This Government has failed to demonstrate transparency.

¶ 04 Many no-cost or low-cost institutional measures are still ignored. In COPE and other committees, we saw Project progress at 12–15% in some cases. With such poor follow-through on 2025 Budget measures, the 2026 Budget has been tabled without clarifying last year’s outcomes.

¶ 05 An Investment Protection Act promised in 2025 is still pending, reflecting legal drafting delays and inefficiency. For exporters’ standards and certification, Rs. 750 million was allocated in 2025 for a national quality management system; yet no tangible progress.

¶ 06 Tourism is a main revenue stream. The President spoke of US$8 billion by 2030, but even basic upgrades—like airport terminal expansion—remain incomplete while such lofty goals are cited.

¶ 07 On digitalization, prior governments laid the foundations. One year into this Government, there is no notable progress in its own roadmap.

¶ 08 If we want real national renewal, we must start from early childhood. Yet the Government has failed to ensure child and maternal nutrition. Rs. 7,500 million was allocated last year for nutrition for pregnant mothers; progress is only about 46%, with just Rs. 917.79 million spent. Thriposha programme progress is only around 35%. Grand talk; meagre delivery. We hope the 2026 Budget fares better.

¶ 09 This Budget does not reflect your policy manifesto. What you said in Opposition is absent here. You spoke of ending a “76-year curse” and changing the model; today we see no such change.

¶ 10 This is your second Budget out of five in your term. Your manifesto also promised to raise the pre-school teacher stipend by Rs. 6,000; progress is only about 57%. If you want real education reform, respect early childhood educators: do not belittle them with token stipends; give at least Rs. 20,000 and establish a dignified, modern cadre.

¶ 11 You also promised land and housing support for young married couples. There is no sign of it in the 2025 or 2026 Budgets. If you truly want to enable young couples to build homes, reduce costs: cement bears about 49% tax; tiles 60%; bathroom sets 60%; some items even around 93%. Remove these burdens if you want their dreams to come true.

¶ 12 You promised to remove VAT on school supplies. Children start a new school year soon. Instead of a Rs. 6,000 handout, remove VAT on school items so families can actually afford supplies. Similarly, students entering A/L and universities struggle to buy computers and tablets—provide concessions or credit support.

¶ 13 You announced arts and culture zones in every city. Yet we witnessed societal hostility—like the incident of throwing water at Hon. Ratna Sri Wijesinha at a literary festival—reflecting a divisive climate. You promised heritage education, but History now lacks proper status in the school curriculum.

¶ 14 You promised concessional loans for journalists to purchase cameras and equipment. Today regional journalists lack tools. At least provide credit for essential equipment.

¶ 15 On sports, remove VAT on sports equipment. Village youth and schoolchildren cannot afford gear. Our athletes have brought recent glory; help them by removing VAT on equipment.

¶ 16 As a Member for Galle District, I looked for allocations for Galle’s needs. We even raised the Galle water issue in this House. The Minister said 2026 would allocate funds—but none are in this Budget. People in Galle face a severe water crisis. Also, no focus on developing Galle Port; prior allocations for Karapitiya bus terminal upgrades have vanished.

¶ 17 You promised 30,000 graduate jobs in the previous Budget; only about 2,265 have materialized, which is why graduates protest today.