The Hon. Fasmin Sharif

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, the President, who is also the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has presented an inclusive Budget for all. We expect this 2025 Budget to be a major step forward for our country and to play a key role in improving people’s livelihoods.

¶ 02 Gampola is 50 kilometres from Nuwara Eliya. Though Gampola is a town with high tourist potential, it has not had even proper public toilet facilities. Previous governments are responsible for this neglect. Ambuluwawe in Gampola attracts many tourists, yet the town has seen no real development. At the same time, Gampola suffers from a shortage of drinking water—even in Doluwa, where a former Prime Minister lived. In this Budget, the Hon. President has allocated additional funding for drinking water facilities.

¶ 03 This time, Government Members of Parliament, the President, the Prime Minister, and Members have stepped forward not to seek special privileges for themselves, but to lead a Clean Sri Lanka initiative—focusing on environmental protection, cleanliness, and maintenance—an effort that can transform our society.

¶ 04 Recently, during flooding in Akkurana, I visited the area with Hon. Riyas Barook and others. We found officials had selected a small site to dump sand. When we inquired, they said the government pays Rs. 172,000 monthly for that site. I asked the officer the value of sand stored there; he said Rs. 150,000. I pointed out that even if we gave away the sand free and cancelled the rent, the government would still save money. The officer fell silent. In such ways, certain officials had abetted questionable practices, which is why floods cause greater damage in Akkurana, leading to annual losses of nearly Rs. 300 million. I request the Hon. Minister to pay attention and take action.

¶ 05 This Budget allocates funds for Aswesuma payments, and for the senior citizens’ interest subsidy. It is heartening that the government has formulated various programs for those in need. With allocations to boost small and medium enterprises, public transport, rural development, agricultural revival, local entrepreneurship, commercialization of research, and seamless domestic and foreign export-oriented production, we expect substantial development. The minimum monthly basic salary of public servants has been increased from Rs. 24,250 to Rs. 40,000—a rise of Rs. 15,750—phased in, considering the economic situation.

¶ 06 For the estate sector, Rs. 7,583 million is allocated to improve living conditions; Rs. 4,267 million for housing; and Rs. 2,450 million for vocational training for hill country Tamil youth. The government has also moved to increase the daily wage of plantation workers to Rs. 1,700. For Kandy, Rs. 7.7 billion is allocated for the “Goodshed” bus stand development, and Rs. 3,000 million for bus procurement. Agriculture receives Rs. 54,000 million, and education Rs. 12,000 million, including Rs. 100 million for new warehousing facilities in Thambuttegama.

¶ 07 Capital expenditure is set at about 4 percent of GDP—a significant contribution to growth. We expect near US$ 19 billion in goods and services exports this year—an unprecedented level. Previous governments failed even to provide basic needs like roads, electricity, and drinking water adequately. This Budget allocates Rs. 500 million for initial preparations for the Kerawalapitiya customs monitoring station and the Bloemendhal freight logistics park. Let me remind the House: NLDB-owned plantations such as Ridiyagama Farm were to be sold by Mr. Harin Jayawardena. Had our government not been in office, they would have been sold.

¶ 08 Gampola is a key destination for foreign tourists. In the future, we will make major efforts to establish tourist hotels, spice gardens, and other necessary projects there through this government, and we expect the Hon. President to allocate more funds for Gampola’s development.

¶ 09 The government has decided to recruit 30,000 personnel to essential posts in government. It has raised salaries of public officers to improve their livelihoods. Funding has been allocated for the Colombo–Kandy Expressway to reach Rambukkana, which will give a major boost to Kandy’s economy. Significant allocations have also been made for urban development.

¶ 10 Gampola is a special town with many visitors, yet it lacked even a public toilet. We hope to develop spice gardens and tourist hotels; Ambuluwawe is a unique site in Sri Lanka. From Gampola to Nuwara Eliya is 50 kilometres; many of our Tamil brothers and sisters live along the stretch up to Pussellawa. We hope to provide all facilities to make that beautiful area a prosperous region. We also request a major water supply project for Gampola, and attention to land issues affecting people living on state reservations.

¶ 11 Your allotted time has ended.

¶ 12 There is a serious issue with toilets in Wattawala. Recently in Pussellawa, Gampola, a person died from wasp attacks; earlier, an eight-year-old child also died. We seek assistance from this government to address these issues. I thank the Hon. Presiding Member for the opportunity and conclude.