The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to join today’s debate on the 2026 Budget. My colleague from Galle, Hon. Chanaka Madugoda, spoke with decorum; with respect, I must respond to one point. He suggested our Government has fostered hatred in society, citing an incident involving Hon. Ratna Sri Wijesinha. In fact, the Galle–Matara–Hambantota region held the South’s largest cultural and arts festivals, where Hon. Wijesinha played a leading role and received due honour; if any isolated incident occurred, we regret it, but generalizing is unwarranted.

¶ 02 On the Budget, I am pleased that we are resolving legacy issues like the Techno Park land in Galle—initiated in the past—with Rs. 1,500 million already allocated to settle contractor bank loans and free the land for industries, as Galle faces a shortage of industrial land. Similar steps are underway for Kurunegala and other Technoparks.

¶ 03 Regarding Galle water, the National Water Board confirms current supply is still at 2016 levels; from 2016 to 2024 others governed the district. Since we took office late 2024, we have sought solutions. The deficit is large—production ~40,000 cubic metres versus ~60,000 required—so it needs billions. We are working to secure significant funding over the next year.

¶ 04 Strategically, we target 7% growth with a new tariff policy and export diversification, a national production economy, eliminating rural poverty, and digitalization. Crucially, debt sustainability: IMF identified our unsustainable debt due to irresponsible, low-priority projects and poor management. We have since lifted ratings from “selective default” levels toward stability; we must go further. The IMF’s DSA now recognizes primary surpluses, agreed debt treatments, macro stability, inflation near 13% and foreign debt service around 4.5%—indicating a path to sustained debt service. This is a real achievement after bankruptcy. We are rebuilding stability while shielding livelihoods.

¶ 05 On social measures, autism spectrum disorders affect about 1 in 93 children. Families struggle in silence. In 2025 we allocated funds; construction of a new Child Development/Day Care Centre at Lady Ridgeway Hospital is underway (~Rs. 200 million), and centres in 25 districts are planned, with eight already progressing. This year, a further Rs. 500 million is allocated—Rs. 100 million under Health and Rs. 447 million under Social Services—for expansion next year, as the President’s speech noted.

¶ 06 This Budget reflects a people-centric model. We have maintained macro stability for over a year and continue to push toward stable economic management. Thank you.