The Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara - Deputy Chairperson of Committees

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, this is Sri Lanka’s 80th Budget, and the second Budget of the National People’s Power Government. I thank you for the opportunity to highlight its progressive proposals. As a country, we aim for sustained macroeconomic stability, strong governance, a robust economy, and inclusive growth benefiting all. Our first Budget laid a firm foundation towards these goals.

¶ 02 A few examples comparing the first halves of 2024 and 2025: - GDP growth rose from 4.6% to 4.8%. - Unemployment fell from 4.5% to 3.8%. - Merchandise exports increased from USD 8.5 billion to USD 9.1 billion. - Worker remittances rose from USD 4.8 billion to USD 5.8 billion. - Tourism receipts increased from USD 2.3 billion to USD 2.5 billion. - Revenue and grants rose from LKR 2.9 trillion to LKR 3.8 trillion. - The primary surplus increased from LKR 0.8 trillion to LKR 1.5 trillion. - The All Share Price Index surpassed 23,500, an historic rise.

¶ 03 Some key measures in our second, strategy-driven Budget: - To strengthen a production economy, we introduced concessional credit schemes for MSMEs to meet working capital and investment needs, using domestic resources to produce for local demand. Many talented youth and women lacked collateral; in 2025 we allocated LKR 4,270 million for collateral-free loans—of which LKR 4,027 million (94%) has already been disbursed. For 2026, LKR 7,000 million is allocated for collateral-free lending. - We set aside LKR 25,000 million to provide concessional loans up to LKR 25 million for successful businesses needing capital and investment, and up to LKR 15 million for businesses facing economic hardship. Additionally, LKR 5,900 million supports MSME loans up to LKR 50 million. In total, LKR 80,000 million is allocated for 2026 MSME lending. Grassroots entrepreneurs are applying through Divisional Secretariats. - For tourism development priorities and targets, LKR 3,500 million is allocated. Every rupee here creates direct and indirect jobs. In my Gampaha District, funds will support development around Hamilton Canal and Negombo Lagoon. - To deliver essential public services, we plan to recruit about 75,000 young men and women to fill vacancies, strictly through competitive exams and service rules, free of political interference. - The second phase of public-sector salary improvements will proceed, along with concessional housing and property loans, expanded Agrahara health benefits, the festival advance increased from LKR 10,000 to LKR 15,000, and disaster loan advances raised from LKR 250,000 to LKR 400,000. - Approximately 9,800 temporary, casual, substitute, contract and concessionary-basis employees hired irregularly by past governments are being regularized. - We have not forgotten persons with disabilities (about 7% of the population). Under Aswesuma, LKR 10,000 monthly assistance has already been allocated at LKR 19,000 million in total; LKR 1,000 million is allocated to improve accessibility and sanitation in public places. A 3% recruitment quota in public service applies, and for private-sector employment, the Government will subsidize 50% of wages up to LKR 15,000 per month for 24 months (LKR 500 million allocated). The LKR 6,000 support for school stationery in 2025 continues in 2026.

¶ 04 [Interjection: Time reminder]

¶ 05 Hon. Deputy Speaker, on the execution of the 2025 Budget: typically the fiscal year runs from January 1 to December 31. As of this morning, financial progress has surpassed 50%. Many projects customarily surge toward year-end; this year too, projects are underway across the country, and by December we will see the final, accurate outturn. In Gampaha District, more than LKR 6,500 million was allocated across 13 budget lines (Provincial Development, Province-specific Development, Rural Roads, decentralized, etc.). I am pleased that physical progress there already exceeds 85%, and not a single rupee will be returned to the Treasury.

¶ 06 Our commitment is to the citizens. I request the Opposition to visit their wards and see the rapid development, or at least to ask their local authorities. Please stop spreading false claims about 2025 financial progress; it is already over 50%, and we aim to reach 65–70%.

¶ 07 Let us all—officials and citizens—work to make this second Budget of the “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” programme a success in the coming year.

¶ 08 Thank you.