The Hon. Rohana Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, first let me wish Mr. M.M.M. Mabrook, Director (Administration) of Parliament, who retires after over four decades of service, a happy retirement.

¶ 02 We might have been pleased if this Budget had implemented the election promises set before 6.4 million voters last year — the “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” manifesto. But this is not about 6.4 million; it affects 22 million people and the economy in the coming year. What do we call this document? It reads like ornamented fantasy — a fairy‑tale brochure selling dreams. The President spoke for nearly four hours with rhetorical flourish. But can we be satisfied? There are only 62 proposals. On sectors where you were criticized and where crises exist, there are mere words. Did you deliver on last year’s allocations? What was actually spent? We see inaction, not results.

¶ 03 You boast the Treasury has a trillion surplus, yet debt has increased by over a trillion in a year. If the Treasury is “full,” why borrow more? Inflation raised prices of everything through taxes; you saved by not executing last year’s development allocations. In real terms, will next year’s saved trillion deliver development targets? Can the highway kilometer that cost X this year be built for the same next year? No — costs rise.

¶ 04 On plantation workers, the letter submitted by Rohini Kavirathna MP exposes a deception. The President promised Rs. 2,000; others talk of Rs. 10,000 tied to 25 attendance days. That 25‑day condition is a ruse that will fail in law or practice. After whipping up hopes, you will say estates opposed it or cases were filed, and that the Treasury cannot pay outside a legal framework. Then officials will be blamed. Instead, create a lawful framework and include smallholders’ workers too. Do not trap officials like in the Immigration case.

¶ 05 What about agriculture? You said Rs. 500 million to promote youth agripreneurs — same line as last year. Where are they? On paddy procurement: last year we asked for a plan — price setting alone is not enough. Now you speak of turning on dryers; but paddy buying at fair prices still lags while farmer costs have risen. Onion farmers were promised tapes to bundle bulbs — Rs. 500 million next year! Do you even know the scales needed to grade onions? This is ad hoc. All farmers — vegetables, potatoes, maize — face crises while consumer prices soar. This Government shows no empathy for farmers.

¶ 06 Hold Provincial Council elections quickly and you will see public judgment. Thank you.