The Hon. Aruna Panagoda

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I welcome the chance to speak on the second Budget of the National People’s Power government. Plato said the most hated person is the one who speaks the truth. Throughout this debate, the Opposition has tried—out of malice—to bury the truth of this Budget under falsehoods. Yesterday, thousands gathered at Viharamahadevi Park to honour those who stood for truth against violence.

¶ 02 Those tainted by scandals now preach to us. The very people involved in the bond issue, sugar, palm oil, and other rackets, and who turned Sri Lanka into a bankrupt state, now try to undermine a people’s Budget with lies. Yet this is the 80th Budget; those responsible for 78 failed fiscal books are that same blue–green establishment.

¶ 03 In our first Budget we projected a deficit of 5.2 percent and are beating revenue projections; the Treasury is flush. In such a moment, they attack because they cannot stand success.

¶ 04 This Budget allocates: - Rs. 267 billion to modernize agriculture, irrigation, livestock, plantations, fisheries, and lands to secure food and nutrition - Rs. 456 billion for safe, efficient, green, and sustainable transport, including reforms

¶ 05 I had raised in this House the plight of those whose lands were acquired for the Ruwanpura Expressway but were unpaid for over a decade. I thank H.E. the President for allocating Rs. 1,500 million in this Budget to resume works from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya and settle due compensation. In my electorate alone, over 800 families in Kahathuduwa await payment.

¶ 06 Those who presided over the bond issue and national ruin now return to lecture us. We will proceed to correct the system and deliver benefits to the people despite malicious obstruction. Justice must be done though the heavens fall. Thank you.