The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, on the sixth day after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented the 2025 Budget, I speak. I did not come to hear the Budget speech because we know the President is unmatched in swaying people with words; many were mesmerized and gave him power, but now they are awakening and doubting whether the country has a future.

¶ 02 We saw the theatrics—the Budget carried in a traditional cane “pan malla” to project nationalism—yet, when opened, it is a liberal, capitalist Budget, far from socialism. For 76 years they condemned capitalism; now they embrace it. There is a song: many write characters by judging the cover. To NPP ministers: do not shout by looking at the cover—remember that. Many of you sincerely believed the JVP could set the country right and sacrificed much. Understand that those leaders have deceived you; this has now been proven.

¶ 03 This is the 79th Budget; after decrying capitalism and liberalism, you now read from the same script. Where are JVP policies now? You sought power on one platform and now follow Ranil and Mahinda’s path. The intellectuals who came to help Gotabaya faced the same betrayal. Likewise now: despite the pan malla, you still must borrow Rs. 2,200 billion to bridge the deficit, repeating history. We do not see an economic programme to truly break from the past. If there are measures that benefit the country, we will support them.

¶ 04 You say this Budget feels good to you. But you do not feel the people’s suffering; many cannot get three meals. The Paddy Marketing Board has not procured rice; in April the Government said it would provide rice, yet it has not procured adequate stocks. With April New Year two months away, there is no plan to lower rice prices to give real relief. Someone said this is a people-friendly Budget—then why is it just the remainder of Ranil’s and Rajapaksa budgets? For 78 years you called others’ budgets lies; society can now see the truth.

¶ 05 The entire old content has been bundled into this book; the NPP continues on the usual track. On salaries: you are misleading with words. The COL allowance has been merged into the basic; previously governments paid COL separately. Adding it to basic is fine, but do not claim you are newly giving it. If, in addition to merging, you grant an equivalent new amount, public servants would be happy. We know there was a promised Rs. 5,000 under Ranil’s time that is not paid; and amounts under Basil’s period not paid—because they are no longer in power, you do not pay. Under your plan, the full increase only arrives in 2027. We cannot, in the 2025 Appropriation, commit 2026–2027 salary expenditures from 2025 revenue. If your Government is not in power by then, it will not materialize. Do not mislead the intelligent public servants who believed you, forgetting your violent past, hoping you would rebuild the country. Today they see the truth.

¶ 06 Like Pettah traders selling shirts without linings—“outer OK, profit!”—only to find no lining at home, public servants will realize in April that your promises are hollow. Why tell daily lies?