The Hon. Lal Premanath

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, at the time Sri Lanka’s 79th Budget is presented, the NPP’s maiden Budget is before us, and I am pleased to express my views.

¶ 02 We know a large number of people rallied to bring the new Government to power. At that time, our current President, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and our team presented a written declaration to the people and later a Budget Speech—both documents are with me: the Policy Statement delivered on 2024.11.21 opening the 10th Parliament’s inaugural Session, and the Budget Speech on February 17. Also, our policy declaration we took to every home.

¶ 03 If we bring all three together, contrary to what some in the Opposition allege, there is no contradiction; the Budget aligns with the earlier documents. In our manifesto we clearly said we will build a prosperous country and deliver a beautiful life to our citizens. This Budget follows the roadmap to achieve that.

¶ 04 First, eradicate long-entrenched poverty. Second, implement “Clean Sri Lanka” to cleanse physical, social, and spiritual spheres. Third, build a digital economy to generate billions in dollar income. We believe this Budget has been framed accordingly. I invite the Opposition to re-study these documents.

¶ 05 We have reduced the vast number of Cabinet Ministries to 24; allocations are made to these and to 134 departments.

¶ 06 Hon. Presiding Member, in brief: under “a healthy life for a wholesome society,” Rs. 604 billion—the highest ever—is allocated to Health. Rs. 619 billion is allocated for achieving quality, equity, and excellence in Education. Rs. 483 billion is allocated for a safe, efficient, eco-friendly and sustainable transport service. Rs. 190 billion to realise aspirations for a comfortable life.

¶ 07 Food is most vital. We pledged food and nutrition security, and we are delivering. Rs. 254 billion for food and nutrition security, productivity renewal and a sustainable agriculture sector. On environment, we remember the landfill tragedy; Rs. 44 billion is allocated for a greener life and environmental stewardship. For a peaceful, just society, Rs. 278 billion is allocated.

¶ 08 People live under severe stress; minor incidents escalate to murder. Instead of building towers from which children jump, we must build a compassionate society. This Budget aspires to that—not to concrete jungles. Rs. 278 billion for necessary buildings, Rs. 404 billion for national security, Rs. 99 billion for economic services and entrepreneurship, and Rs. 21 billion for land and secure energy supply.

¶ 09 We must create a people-friendly public service. There is strong criticism; we accept responsibility to reform it, with Rs. 296 billion allocated. A universal social protection system gets Rs. 749 billion. The Opposition criticises without offering vision.

¶ 10 We inherited severe economic, social, and spiritual decline. Our duty is to rescue the country. The questions raised today are about the economy and society the Opposition themselves led and governed. Within a few months we are laying solutions, mobilising people, instilling new thinking, attitudes and vision. The Opposition will now face a governing party with capability, vision, knowledge and solidarity across regions and communities—so mere rhetoric will not suffice. I urge the Opposition to engage constructively over the next five years. I conclude. Thank you.