The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I am grateful to speak on the second reading of the National People’s Power government’s inaugural budget. Since 1931, many budgets have been presented. Of all budgets in the 77 years since Independence to 2025, I believe this is one that most meaningfully looks from the people’s side, without serving the ruling class.

¶ 02 Our primary duty here is to frame an ethical budget for the nation’s future. Children in the gallery are the country’s future. Remember: this budget allocates the largest-ever sum in our history—Rs. 619 billion—for education.

¶ 03 For 77 years rulers built roads and schools, gave jobs, electricity, medicines; yet two years ago our country became a bankrupt, failed state. Why? Because some rulers tried to destroy learning and reading. In May–June 1981, the largest library in South Asia—the Jaffna Public Library with 97,000 books—was burned by three southern politicians seeking Development Council votes. After the President’s budget on 17 February, funds are allocated to develop the Jaffna Library and other libraries used by our children and readers.

¶ 04 From the 2025 Budget (p. 20): “Development of the Jaffna and other regional libraries… Rs. 100 million to provide essential facilities including computers for the Jaffna Library; and an additional Rs. 200 million for other regional libraries.”

¶ 05 We are rebuilding a bankrupt country. The people have tasked us to invest in children’s education and reading. Hence President Anura Dissanayake has allocated Rs. 100 million to improve libraries including Jaffna.

¶ 06 For nearly 27 years we suffered an armed separatist conflict. On the day after the library was burned, a Tamil brother wrote that “from here begins the struggle to create a state for our people.” Destroying education led to that. Therefore we say to past rulers: do not destroy education. We are allocating about Rs. 619 billion to education.

¶ 07 In contrast, under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Rs. 188 million was allocated to “Smart Youth,” while on the eve of elections vouchers were mass-signed and staff coerced. COPE revealed Rs. 638 lakhs for “national pride” T-shirts via a hardware supplier. Those rulers stole money that belonged to our children. The people ended that rule by sending 159 of our party’s members here—professors, doctors, engineers, computer engineers—people who made sacrifices, not asking for perks. That is why we allocate Rs. 619 billion for education.

¶ 08 On “Sri Lankan Day,” our President’s budget (p. 40, para 33) says: “‘A Prosperous Country – Beautiful Lives’ seeks to bridge social divides and present a vision of a harmonious Sri Lanka. Therefore, I propose a national ‘Sri Lankan Day’ festival with private sector participation. Rs. 300 million is allocated.”

¶ 09 Sri Lanka is a beautiful country of many faiths, languages, and ethnicities, with rich natural and cultural heritage. We have no deserts, volcanoes, or large-scale natural calamities; mild climate, central highlands, and 103 rivers. Historically people lived together. Yet for 77 years rulers sowed division—1956 Sinhala Only; exclusion of Muslims under 1833 arrangements; the 1981 library burning; communal politics culminating in atrocities like the Easter Sunday attack. We need a unifying brand for Sri Lanka—build harmony among ethnicities and religions to attract tourism and income. Our goal is 3 million tourists in 2025, each spending about USD 500—an income path to bridge the budget gap. We have a two-thirds-plus mandate (159 seats) to rebuild for our children. Thank you.