The Hon. Upul Kithsiri

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the President, as Finance Minister, presented the 2025 Budget for the next nine months. Listening to Opposition speeches, they spoke as if the NPP had governed for five years and this was our final Budget. In reality, our government has been in office for just three months, and this is a Budget laying out the forward development plan.

¶ 02 The Leader of the Opposition spoke for 45 minutes, asking us to focus on new plans rather than the past. But when we go to implement projects, we still face unpaid bills from 10–15 years ago—unfinished housing projects of the National Housing Development Authority, with billions unpaid—now falling on us. So while we focus on the future, we cannot ignore the past’s liabilities.

¶ 03 On salaries, we are glad the Budget has prompted unprecedented discussion. For the first time in history, the growth component and the basic pay are significantly increased. There are apps provided to compute one’s salary increases through 2025, 2026, 2027. Perhaps some Oppositions MPs could use them.

¶ 04 On the Rs. 10 million decentralized allocations per MP: those are public funds disbursed through Divisional Secretariats and District Secretariats—never for private spending. Members can submit development proposals; that is how it works and has always worked.

¶ 05 On foreign investment and dollars: during the President’s recent visits to India and China, billions in FDI commitments were secured. The world’s leaders have confidence in us. In the near term, we expect substantial inflows.

¶ 06 For the first time, Rs. 100 million is allocated for persons with disabilities—something overlooked before. For children in probation homes: Rs. 5,000 monthly per child, with Rs. 2,000 to a bank account and Rs. 3,000 for expenses; upon turning 18, they may remain until fully reintegrated; and a Rs. 1 million grant toward housing when they establish themselves. Please recognize such measures.

¶ 07 We have over 3,000 suicides a year, and more than 5,000 attempts annually. We have allocated Rs. 250 million for programs to address mental distress. On clean drinking water, despite decades of rule, 60–70% of rural families still lack access. We have allocated Rs. 107.9 billion for rural water, and about Rs. 4,000 million specifically for rural roads—especially in agricultural areas.

¶ 08 On export agriculture: for example, bananas—we produce in excess of domestic need, and can supply international demand if we scale properly. We will invest significantly to build such value chains. Ratnapura has gems and spices—cinnamon, tea, pepper—yet our mineral wealth yields little value. This Budget provides for strengthening exports and dollar earnings.

¶ 09 An Hon. Member claimed nothing was allocated to Galle District. Please read the Budget—there are numerous development proposals for Galle.

¶ 10 Some said we could not win—we did. Those who said we could not rebuild the country will see us rebuild it.