The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, this political transition followed a grave economic crisis. In its aftermath, our people united and reclaimed their political rights through elections. Within that mandate, this Budget asserts people’s economic rights. We inherited a country broken in every way—economically, in health, politically, and socially. Our President has presented a fair, inclusive, people-centred Budget representing all sectors—farmers, workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, women, children, and estate workers. Every citizen is a stakeholder and beneficiary.

¶ 02 We are building a prosperous country with beautiful lives. The vulnerable and poor were rapidly growing; thus we have significantly expanded Aswesuma and related welfare—allocating Rs. 749 billion for persons with disabilities, kidney patients, and other programmes. Beyond numbers, this is a compassionate Budget. The Opposition says this is not based on our policies. But our society had stripped women of freedom, dignity, and protection. This Budget prioritizes preventing violence against women and children.

¶ 03 I represent Moneragala. There, women fight with the soil and with bracken fields to raise children. We have allocated over Rs. 120 million to empower such women and create a society of freedom, protection, and dignity for women and children.

¶ 04 Previously, 5 in every 100 children were anaemic at birth—because mothers did not receive adequate nutrition during pregnancy, undermining the next generation. Accordingly, we have allocated Rs. 7,500 million to provide nutritious meals for mothers.

¶ 05 The Opposition spread slander before the election that we would shut down Thriposha. This Budget gives the best answer: we allocate over Rs. 5,000 million to Thriposha for mothers and children’s nutrition. This Budget’s essence goes beyond data.

¶ 06 For children with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders—long ignored—we are establishing significant facilities across the island. We allocate Rs. 200 million to establish an international-standard treatment centre at Lady Ridgeway Hospital; this is a start, and within five years we will establish centres in every district. We also allocate Rs. 250 million to build care centres and model preschools for such children who are currently excluded.

¶ 07 Instead of a health system that endangered lives, this Budget allocates a historic Rs. 6.4 billion more to secure the right to life.

¶ 08 Due to the 2023 crisis, over 21 percent of children aged 3 to 21 dropped out of education. From preschool to university, we allocate about Rs. 619 billion for education—affirming that an intelligent, healthy generation is essential. We increase the preschool meal allowance from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100, allocating Rs. 1,000 million; raise preschool teachers’ allowance by Rs. 1,000 with Rs. 100 million; and allocate Rs. 80 million to develop selected early childhood centres.

¶ 09 We double the Rs. 750 scholarship to Rs. 1,500. University students on Mahapola and bursaries often work to survive; we increase their stipend by Rs. 2,500.

¶ 10 In Moneragala, children like Chamodi Prabodha and Chethana Vimukthi now represent the national cricket team; their parents earned by breaking stones to fund their training. How painful is that! Therefore we increase sports school student allowances from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 to support their talent.