The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, it is clear we are debating one of the most significant Budgets in recent Sri Lankan political history. After Independence, our people have faced a series of grave, complex social tragedies. Ultimately, the state became bankrupt before the world’s eyes, and the majority suffered immensely.

¶ 02 To pull the country out of that condition, the National People’s Power (NPP) mobilized a broad people’s movement for national renewal. Having assessed the failures—wrong politics, ineffective economic policies, weak and unaccountable fiscal management—we are now positioned to clearly launch work to deliver a better future. I believe the 2025 Budget is a viable pathway towards that goal and will help deliver a positive future.

¶ 03 Recall how deep our crisis was: people trapped for hours and days in queues, suffering physically and mentally—some even dying where they stood. It is from that tragic fate we seek to rescue the country, and this Budget is a prime example. Notably, the plan safeguards democracy while prioritizing the well-being of ordinary people. It is regrettable that the Opposition benches are largely empty at such a crucial time.

¶ 04 I will focus on one core area—education—which is the decisive factor for a country’s future. When education is weak, people lose intellect and contemporary understanding, and cannot face challenges. A nation then declines and risks becoming subservient to others. This Budget lays the groundwork to cultivate an enlightened society.

¶ 05 Our policy calls for building an enlightened society and emphasizes two key points: education is an inalienable right of every child, and the State is responsible for guaranteeing and delivering that right. The Budget embraces this principle.

¶ 06 We all know the phrase: “Nearest school—the best school.” Yet from the time a child is conceived, many parents start plotting to get their child into an elite, popular school. This entrenches inequality in education and harms our national future.

¶ 07 Out of 10,126 schools, about 1,500 have fewer than 50 students and lack basic facilities. In some difficult rural areas—like where I come from in Anuradhapura—some schools don’t even have toilets. Imagine a parent sending a child to learn the alphabet at a school without a toilet. Meanwhile, some schools have swimming pools. Such disparities are the norm.

¶ 08 This Budget and our policy commit to ensuring a school within a one-kilometre radius, and provisions are made from preschool up to university and even postgraduate education. Increases to scholarship stipends and vocational training allowances are included. The university Mahapola is increased from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500, and other student bursaries from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 6,500. A massive Rs. 135 billion is allocated to enhance university quality and research—an unprecedented investment.

¶ 09 Additionally, Rs. 500 million is allocated to develop sports schools in the Northern, North Central, Uva, Central and Western Provinces; Rs. 100 million to develop the Jaffna Library; and Rs. 200 million for other regional libraries—significant investments in sustainable educational development. Over Rs. 619 billion is allocated to education in recurrent and capital expenditure.

¶ 10 The Opposition Leader speaks of “system change.” True system change is realized through these comprehensive reforms, yet he criticizes our changes as “political reprisals.” That is not a coherent argument. The values he claims to espouse are visible within this Budget; I invite them to read it properly. Attempts to denigrate our sound proposals with mud-slinging and false propaganda will not deter us. As our poetry says: Sandalwood yields fragrance when it is cut, scraped, and powdered—so too will our efforts ultimately benefit the nation.

¶ 11 This Budget, founded on clear, modern policies, will deliver sustainable development and a better future. Thank you.