The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

¶ 02 As basic positions on the 2026 Budget are presented by both Government and Opposition, let me begin by noting contradictions in the Opposition’s own statements. Some said we have never even run a tea kiosk and should not be given power; yet another said this is the first time in history the Treasury is overflowing with over a trillion rupees. Which is it?

¶ 03 One Member also spoke about Marx, Engels, and Lenin; while I do not recall precisely what he said, let me cite what we studied: when old trees are felled, every extra branch that falls makes the pampered lapdogs of the bourgeoisie howl and whine from Boulerez to Marten — if not to lament the elephant of the working class, why do they exist? Let them howl; we shall proceed.

¶ 04 What the country needs is a planned, strategic economic programme. The UNP, SLFP and Pohottuwa governed from 1947 to 2024 without such a clear plan, ending in bankruptcy, with people in queues and some even dying in queues — that is their record. The NPP Government’s aim is to prevent a return to that state, to secure political, economic, social and cultural stability. With that objective we presented our first Budget in 2025 and now the 2026 Budget, built on pillars of sustainable, inclusive growth; export diversification and higher income; debt sustainability; strengthening a production economy; eradicating rural poverty; and digitisation. To that end, the public service must be strengthened. This Budget clearly provides for that: Rs. 12,500 million for vehicles and machinery for central and local institutions; Rs. 1,000 million to enhance digital access in state institutions; Rs. 5,000 million over two years to clear arrears in ten state institutions.

¶ 05 Further, Rs. 500 million to restart the Property Loan Scheme for public servants via banks — a scheme halted by previous governments. In our second Budget we are reactivating this benefit. Rs. 1,000 million to increase teachers’ difficult-area allowance and principals’ allowance. We will increase the monthly allowance of railway gatekeepers at unsafe crossings from Rs. 7,500 (unchanged since 2013) to Rs. 15,000 — doubling it — recognising their vital role. Rs. 5,000 million is allocated to support estate workers’ wages. There are many such measures to strengthen the state and other services.

¶ 06 Today is special for me as a long-time trade union representative. The right to a full pension for public servants was denied to all who joined after 01.01.2016 by that then Government. Ranil Wickremesinghe treated pensions like a sari to be traded — in 2002 he eliminated pensions for new entrants from 01.01.2003; we had to go to court, and in 2007 we restored pensions. Again, under “good governance,” in 2016 they suspended pensions for new entrants, inserting language that “the Government will decide future policy on pensions.” They plunged public servants into insecurity. Yesterday, through this Budget, the President restored the assurance of full pension rights for those recruited since 2016 — a historic act by the NPP-led Government.

¶ 07 There are also unresolved issues of pensioners from 2016–2019 who were denied due pensions by the good governance Government; the Gotabaya administration promised 2020 relief and failed. We are now paying in three phases. There are issues for teachers/principals retiring 1997–2021; the Government is aware and is acting methodically. We will appoint a commission to comprehensively address pay and pensions of the entire public service, as stated in the Budget.

¶ 08 We have allocated Rs. 110 billion for 2026 to increase public servants’ salaries — Rs. 330 billion over three years — raising basic salaries by 6% and increments by 8%. We will also increase the festival advance from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000. We will regularise temporary, casual, substitute, contract and welfare-based recruits with proper appointments. Significant positive reforms affecting public servants’ professionalism, pay and future are proposed in the 2026 Budget. A parliamentary sub-committee under the Ministry of Public Administration is already working on these.

¶ 09 Thank you.