Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, under the new Government’s programme and within the Vote of the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, I wish to clarify what we mean by “empowerment” and which aspects we target through this Budget.

¶ 02 Debate has focused mostly on economic empowerment, but our allocations are not limited to that. We aim for development that leaves no one and no region behind—true, inclusive, and sustainable development.

¶ 03 I will emphasize psychological empowerment. As our economy deteriorated, the greatest social crises surfaced where communities lacked empowerment—particularly mental resilience. Under our Ministry, we plan to fill the current shortage of psychological counsellors in Divisional Secretariats. This is to raise public awareness on mental health—not to supplant the Health Ministry’s clinical role, but to mobilize communities through three programmes per month at DS level, each engaging groups of 50 villagers, to strengthen understanding on mental health.

¶ 04 We lack gender-sensitive and youth-friendly mental health services. Children and youth often have no accessible, trusted avenue to share mental distress. Day centres are also underdeveloped. Beyond elder centres, we need community day centres serving the elderly, women, persons with disabilities, and women-headed households—integrated with mental health units for awareness and support.

¶ 05 Consider gender dysphoria and identity-related distress; children experiencing changes need informed parental, school, and community support to prevent self-harm. Young mothers under domestic strain—exacerbated by substance abuse in families—also need outreach. In one case from my area, a 24-year-old mother of a four-year-old girl took her life due to unaddressed pressures. If communities had reached out with support and empowered her, tragedy might have been averted.

¶ 06 In Budget 2025, Rs. 707.15 million has been allocated across the Department of Social Services, the National Secretariat for Elders and Counselling Units, and the Social Security Board for such programmes. Without mental health strengthening, families and society produce unbalanced individuals. Through economic literacy, correcting harmful health beliefs, reducing bad habits, and building social safety nets, we can address multidimensional poverty.

¶ 07 Many in the informal sector—mostly women—work far beyond eight hours with no pension or secure later life. Our Ministry will create avenues for pensions and dignified retirement. Our goal: a balanced life—eight hours work, eight hours rest, eight hours to live—for all, including the vulnerable and rural communities.

¶ 08 Counsellors currently lack robust data systems to track cases, treatment adherence, and social reintegration. We will establish data systems and community reintegration pathways, and correct social stigma toward mental illness. With these allocations, we can bring relief to many distressed and marginalized people. Thank you.