The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I wish to raise several points on the first Budget of the National People’s Power Government. Those who governed for years and now sit in Opposition present analyses and data—but it is under their models that the economy was bankrupted, we went to the IMF for relief, growth fell to the bottom among peers, and society was strained.

¶ 02 They say we are going astray with the IMF; they said the same before, while their own economic path failed. We did not see in their plans how to strengthen exports, domestic production, or secure competitive positions in global markets. Instead, we saw inefficient policies, lack of fiscal discipline, and corruption. If those had not prevailed, Sri Lanka would not be here today.

¶ 03 We must climb out from the bottom of the well we were pushed into. We are correcting wrong policies and approaches, ending theft and leakage, and instituting accountable, efficient state policy. Previously, who spent collected taxes and on what? Funds were distributed at will. That is why the country became poor. Now the same voices highlight poverty data arising from their stewardship. We have come to provide solutions, across village and city, North and South, East and West, and that is what this Budget’s development proposals reflect—allocations to the North, to Rajarata, to fisheries and agriculture, to Colombo’s urban issues, and to infrastructure and industrial development. Wishing for a second restructuring is the Opposition’s hope, not the nation’s.

¶ 04 In a very short time, we steered the country away from bankruptcy through the people’s and officials’ sacrifices, by stopping corruption and putting the economy on the right track. While other countries failed and went for multiple restructurings, we believe that with this short-term stabilization and a people-inclusive growth path, we can swiftly exit restructuring and move to a growth model where domestic and national production claim a larger share.

¶ 05 You ask, “How can you give so many concessions and wage hikes?” and then say “This is a handout budget.” The President explained support to productive sectors. For instance, to revive the cinnamon industry and boost agricultural-industrial productivity—including smallholder tea development, coconut and agro-infrastructure—this Budget allocates Rs. 11.3 billion to one such item alone, to bring rural people, especially women, into the economy and add value to their labour.

¶ 06 Rather than repeating old lines, recognize the visible change the people awaited. When the people are satisfied by real relief and production-focused support, it is natural the Opposition is displeased—that is their role.