The Hon. Gayan Janaka

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, a key factor that enabled our people to change a 76-year-old pattern of governance was the political culture. Today we are discussing very important expenditure heads. As we discuss these, we can understand the new political culture this government is demonstrating through these Heads, changing the previous political culture.

¶ 02 The Prime Minister’s Office is exemplary among these Heads. It is the foremost institution that provides direction, coordination, and leadership to achieve economic and social development goals in line with state policy. In carrying out these tasks — especially in a context where the PMO primarily incurs recurrent expenditure rather than capital outlays — we can discuss how these recurrent expenses are managed under sound financial control.

¶ 03 The PMO budget is presented in two parts: the PMO Programme and the General Institutional Activities Programme. Given time constraints, I will highlight a few aspects showing prudent financial control, progress achieved, and our future direction.

¶ 04 In 2024, Rs. 630.83 million was allocated for the PMO Programme. For 2025, this was reduced by 44% to Rs. 350.34 million; and for 2026 to Rs. 349 million — a 45% reduction from 2024 — even after incorporating the substantial 2026 public sector salary increases.

¶ 05 We have also changed the past culture of political misuse of vehicles. The PMO had 122 vehicles. After assessing service needs, we decided to retain only the essential number. We identified 9 vehicles for disposal, sold them, and saved Rs. 233.36 million. We provided 11 vehicles to other institutions with need. Thus, of the 122 vehicles, we currently retain about 102. Consequently, fuel expenditure fell: in 2023, Rs. 109 million was spent on fuel; by 31 October 2025, this had been reduced to Rs. 27 million. Vehicle maintenance fell from Rs. 139 million in 2023 to Rs. 66 million by 31 October 2025. Office stationery dropped from Rs. 17 million to Rs. 10 million, and postage/communications from Rs. 18 million to Rs. 16 million. We are using public finances with care for public development.

¶ 06 We also reduced the PM’s security by about one-third, returning 258 officers to regular Police duties.

¶ 07 Looking back over the past year and ahead to the coming year, we demonstrate that public funds are used well and that where we provide leadership, we model the new political culture the country expects. Many officials have worked with commitment; without them, these successes would not be possible. I thank them and conclude my remarks with gratitude for the time given.