Hon. Ajith Gihan

¶ 01 We have embraced an export economy. Should we not go further? Our Budget must be presented on the basis of a production economy and an export economy. We have planned to go there. We also saw that there was a huge Budget deficit. What must we do to reduce this deficit? On that basis, we have prepared this Budget statement. We know the Opposition will not be able to present arguments logically and fairly in this debate. They will jump around, saying different things without a foundation—talking about the IMF, talking about former Budgets of Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe. Should those be the basis? Read this Budget speech carefully—not only the cover—read what is actually in it.

¶ 02 Throughout history, when Budgets were presented with seats colored red and drama all around, if you turn the page today and look at this process again, it is clear this is a very successful Budget; it is fair to everyone; and it is a Budget with a sound foundation. This is not a Budget crafted to hand out gimmicks to the audience—the people—and then boost it with voice-cuts.

¶ 03 What do people expect today? They expect the foundation to rebuild a country that collapsed over 76 years. We know what this Budget is based on: we must advance the agricultural sector. Food production must be made number one. But food production has collapsed. Therefore, through this Budget, we have allocated significant provisions to agriculture—because we must ensure food security, continuous supply of food, and price fairness for our people. We must also address malnutrition and restore lives damaged by it.

¶ 04 Accordingly, this Budget focuses primarily on food production. As for other sectors, we have allocated the necessary provisions to improve infrastructure. The transport sector is in disarray. When you go to a SLTB depot, you see the devastation. But what must we do to deliver good transport services?

¶ 05 This Budget also focuses on eradicating poverty. We have increased allocations for poverty alleviation programmes such as Aswesuma. Where must we go? We must think humanely. What happened with previous Budgets? A select group shared the benefits; a select group accumulated economic privileges. What are we prepared to do? We are putting in place a programme to involve the entire population in the economic process. That is our policy.

¶ 06 We are bringing them into the economic process and ensuring the benefits are distributed fairly among all. Fundamentally, this Budget is designed to eradicate poverty. Are State employees not happy today? State employees are happy; those in the private sector are happy; and workers are happy. Studying this Budget document shows that. If so, it is the Opposition that has a problem. A Budget that is auspicious for the country is being portrayed by the Opposition—together with a few new media outlets—as inauspicious. Is that true?

¶ 07 Some say incidents of killings and current issues, despite democracy being affirmed, will affect tourism. We must recall our past: were tourists not murdered in history? Those who created black marks by killing tourists now arrive here draped in sanctimony and claim the situation is alarming. This is the kind of climate they want to create. We must now be ready, with the existing democratic situation and a recovering economy, to lift our country. That is how the Opposition should behave. As the country moves forward, the Opposition too now has a responsibility. Instead of traditional criticism, we have a duty and responsibility. It is not we who broke this country. It was broken by those who reddened seats for years. Now the responsibility and challenge of rebuilding lies with all of us. This is everyone’s country. The current Government sought a mandate from the people and presented a sound programme of work. That programme is now being implemented. Within it, there are plans for revenue collection and expenditure.

¶ 08 To streamline trade, we are introducing a new Customs Act. We have prepared mechanisms to stop the leakages and ensure fair revenue collection. Because of this Budget, people are now happy. Businesspeople, traders, farmers, and fisherfolk are receiving fairness—benefiting, for instance, from electricity bill reductions. Does the Opposition not understand this? Is it not visible? We know this is due to malice. If a country is to move forward, you must change your attitude. The current Government governs free of fraud and corruption, democratically and transparently. In three months, we have advanced the country significantly from where it stood. We still have several years remaining in our compact with the people. Even in a short time, you all know this Government is acting successfully. Public confidence has grown. People have opportunities to do business; tourists are returning; investors are being invited. Under this Budget, we believe we can quickly reach our targets. We must sustain an economic growth rate of 5 percent. We need a programme to revive trade.

¶ 09 We know that, going forward, Sri Lanka must be a country that can service its debt. To reach that target, we are implementing a strong economic development programme throughout this Budget. Studying this Budget well makes it clear where the country is going: from a broken state to stabilization and rapid progress. For this, we must rally Sri Lankans, involve them in the economic process, and ensure the benefits reach everyone. Together, strongly, we must solve people’s problems, eradicate poverty and destitution, and build a prosperous, respected country where people can live with dignity. That is our plan as the National People’s Power. We invite the Opposition to study this and extend cooperation accordingly. Thank you for the opportunity, Hon. Deputy Speaker.