Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, before my remarks, I will respond to points raised by the Hon. MP for Ampara and by Hon. Gayanta Karunathilaka.

¶ 02 The Budget Speech is not a recital of the entire Budget; seasoned Members know this. Although “Hindu affairs” was not mentioned in the speech, the document “Major Expenditure Components by Ministry” shows allocations. On page 38, under the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Rs. 146 million is allocated to the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, and Rs. 42 million for renovation and restoration of Hindu religious sites. Therefore, the Hon. Member’s assertion is incorrect; please study the documents.

¶ 03 Hon. Gayanta Karunathilaka said no funds were allocated for cinnamon, rubber, or small tea holders. But on page 26, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Infrastructure, allocations are listed: Rs. 500 million for rubber subsidies and Rs. 1,000 million to support small tea smallholders — totaling Rs. 1,500 million. He also claimed nothing for cinnamon. The document lists allocations for cinnamon and rubber, including Rs. 102 million for the Cinnamon Development Department. Please verify figures before making claims.

¶ 04 We took office with an economy in collapse and social and political instability. The 2025 Budget necessarily focused on stabilizing the country. Many, including political opponents, now acknowledge that the Treasury is stabilized and overflowing — a sign of fiscal stabilization after a severe downturn.

¶ 05 We now approach the 2026 Budget having restored political and social stability. Sri Lanka has the capacity to become a top-tier nation given our location, human capital, and resources. The 2026 Budget presents the vision and pathways to move from stabilization to development, as many analysts and institutions have observed.

¶ 06 Development must be informed by an understanding of all social strata and enterprise sizes, from rural households and micro-enterprises to large firms. The 2026 Budget lays out strategic pathways accordingly. It is not a gallery speech; it is a studied plan spanning 56 pages delivered over 48 hours and 20 minutes. I urge both Opposition and academia to engage with it deeply.

¶ 07 Some asked what we are doing for the poor. Historically, poverty was used to win or retain power. Our approach is different: eradicate rural poverty by empowering the poor. This Budget includes robust programs — entrepreneurship development, credit schemes, and mechanisms like Prajashakthi to channel funds to villages — with Rs. 25,000 million allocated.

¶ 08 On low-income housing: last year we allocated around Rs. 3,500 million to build houses for low-income families. The model is targeted grants — Rs. 1 million — to the right beneficiaries, leveraging family, community, and in-kind support (local carpenters, hardware, etc.). This community-driven, phased approach has succeeded, so next year we allocate Rs. 10,200 million. Do not judge from Colombo — this empowers rural poor to build their homes.

¶ 09 Hon. Minister, your time is up.

¶ 10 One last point. An MP said “speech in the cradle — journey on foot.” Recently I inspected a 2015–2019 housing project of 24 houses. Only one house was built — on land sold to a private buyer who then built that single house. Others had only abandoned foundations. Contrast that with the 1994 Mihintale Gam Udawa lands — even documentation there had to be handed over only now. We know how to execute with officials, and we will drive development effectively with the funds allocated.

¶ 11 Thank you.

¶ 12 Order, please! The Sitting is suspended till 1.00 p.m. for lunch.

¶ 13 Sitting accordingly suspended till 1.00 p.m. and then resumed.

¶ 14 Next, the Hon. Sugath Thilakaratne. You have 10 minutes.