This year’s budget is for women from various sectors of the country – Shanthini Kongahage

Chairperson of the Eksath Lak Vanitha Peramuna, leader of the Kandy District Shanthini Kongahage said that all relief provided through the budget by President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been prepared so that it will be received by families.

She made this comment during a media briefing held yesterday (23) at the Sirikotha Party Headquarters.

Shanthini Kongahage also had the following to say;

A country’s economy and existence depend on the budget the government presents. This year’s budget is for women from various sectors of the country. We hoped that the Opposition will point out the shortcomings of this budget and discuss how we can take it forward. Anyhow, the second reading of the budget was passed in parliament with a majority.

This budget has been presented covering all fields such as poverty-stricken people, middle-class people, and business people, groups engaged in small businesses, public service, elders, retired persons, and even school children. It is of significance that it has been prepared so as to ensure that all relief is directed at the family. The decision made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on behalf of more than fifty thousand persons living in flats is of utmost importance. Even people living in Mahaweli zones had a huge problem with the deeds of their houses. Solving that is a massive achievement. Not only providing estate workers with a land of 10 perches but ensuring full ownership is of great importance.

Arrangements have been made through this budget to provide the Suraksha Insurance to school children that which was presented by the government of good governance in 2020 and which they were deprived of and once again protecting the family as an entity economic relief has been granted to mothers and fathers. School uniforms and printing of text books has been done under Chinese assistance. At the same time parents have been provided with huge economic relief by providing school children with footwear. Also, providing lunch for selected schools is also an immense relief. All of these strengthen a family’s economy. The Minister of Education said in Parliament that they hope to spend 550 million rupees on behalf of education. At a moment of time when everyone thought it was not possible to allocate so much of money through the budget, such an allocation has been done. It was not possible to implement the important decision of providing two million deeds during the era of the government of good governance. Now, it is being implemented again.

Action has been taken to supply without shortages, rice such as Keeri Samba and sugar which is required for the festive season. Another contribution towards the economy is the signing of an agreement after sixty years with the Shell Company, worth 110 million dollars to run 200 fuel filling stations. Especially, as the economic research department declared by 2023/2024 the negative rate of economic growth will be overcome and it has been forecast that it can reach 1.8. The Opposition should, rather than always saying our country is bankrupt, see these things in a far more effective manner and talk about them.

It should be mentioned that the second phase of the Port City has commenced too.As a result, our youth will be given the opportunity to obtain a job in the private sector. The World Bank has said that they have approved a sum of USD 150 million in order to create economic stability in Sri Lanka. We expect 1.5 million tourists in the country, by the end of the year. We have the possibility of using assistance to develop these industries. We have implemented a programme where we will be able to attract 5 million tourists by 2029. The Treasury has said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has declared that they will be granting USD 330 million. At the same time, while receiving the agreement of China, restructuring debt has proved to be very successful and this has been stated by the IMF as well. We are due to receive a special sum of five billion dollars as assistance for the oil refinery inHambantota. An agreement has been reached with Sinopec of China too. It should be noted that all young people in all fields have been granted all necessary provisions to make the future better.

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