Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Opposition, I first extend our gratitude to you for your special cooperation throughout the 21-day debate on the Budget presented by the President as Minister of Finance amidst national challenges.

¶ 02 I also thank the Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Chairperson of Committees, and all Members who served on the Panel of Chairs.

¶ 03 Our thanks to the President for presenting his Government’s second Budget; the Prime Minister; the Leader of the House and his staff; the Chief Government Whip and his office; all Ministers and State Ministers; and Members of the Government benches.

¶ 04 We extend appreciation to the Secretary-General, the Deputy and Assistant Secretaries-General and the entire parliamentary staff for their support during the debate.

¶ 05 We thank the Sergeant-at-Arms and Assistant Sergeants-at-Arms; Parliamentary Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, and the STF and all who ensured security.

¶ 06 We are grateful to Ministry Secretaries and public officials for their dedicated service; and to the Government Printer for expeditiously printing Committee proceedings.

¶ 07 We also thank the staff of the Members’ dining areas, the Guests’ dining, and the Officers’ dining; the Library, Research Division, Hansard Department, Chamber Recording, Medical Centre, Ayurveda Centre, Post Office, bank branches, electricity and water service teams, the Fire Service Department, and the workers of the Kotte Municipal Council, and all language interpreters.

¶ 08 We thank the Parliamentary transport staff and drivers who safely brought officers to work and back during long debate days.

¶ 09 We extend our thanks to all media—print, electronic, and social—and journalists who widely disseminated parliamentary proceedings from brief updates to prime-time news.

¶ 10 As is customary, I conclude by appreciating the Leader of the Opposition for his exemplary leadership—meeting the people across the country, bringing their issues to the House, and actively engaging throughout the debate—and the cooperation from other Opposition parties and Members in scheduling and time management, and to the Leader of the Opposition’s Secretary, Mr. Suranga Ranasinghe, and the entire staff for their tireless work.

¶ 11 We also thank scholars, professionals, trade unionists, civil society members and resource persons who provided data and inputs during the debate.

¶ 12 This Budget will be remembered as one debated at the most difficult time our people have faced. I wish all Christians a meaningful Christmas, and pray that 2026 will be a year free of disasters, with strength and courage for all. Thank you for allowing me to deliver the traditional vote of thanks on behalf of the Opposition.