Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya told Parliament yesterday that social welfare has not been forgotten in this year’s Budget and the government has allocated Rs. 852 billion out of the total state expenditure through this Budget.
The Minister said this in response to SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, who commenced the second reading debate of Budget 2023 yesterday said that this year’s budget has not focused on social welfare. State Finance Minister Siyambalapitiya representing the ruling party said that 10.08 percent of the total government expenditure has been allocated for subsidies from this budget apart from the amount allocated for education and health. The Opposition alleged that this year’s budget did not mention anything on social security and welfare. But it is baseless. Around 578,000 families have already applied for subsidies under the state programme of providing relief to low income families. This is a major challenge faced by us.
However we will start this assistance programme from next April. In addition to this, the State Minister said a programme to support the Samurdhi, recipients, elderly people and kidney patients will also be implemented properly. He said that this year’s budget has focused on how to go beyond social welfare and emerge as a strong country. He said that this year’s budget has been well planned for the future of the country and efforts have been made to create a more favorable environment for investors.
He also said that three new investment zones have been planned in Western region North West and Hambantota. The state minister also said that a separate department will be established for “cinnamon”, which is a major export crop in the southern province. Although there is a huge market demand for cinnamon, many people do not pay attention to cinnamon. But in the future, the cinnamon crop will be able to surpass the tea rubber coconut, the minister said.He said that Sri Lanka is famous for sports like water skiing and some tourists come to this country only for this sport. He said that this budget does not talk about sending the government employee home or reducing their salary and it has focused on how to get the maximum benefit from him.
In this year’s budget, an amount of Rs.7,885 billion rhas been allocated as government expenditure for the coming year. It is an increase of Rs.1,785 billion compared to this year. We need to find that money.It is a huge challenge that will be faced in the coming year. Each of these are huge challenges that we will face in the coming year.
According to the budget, assistance proposed for four months:
Samurdhi benefits to be increased to Rs.3000
Additional Rs.3000 allowance for those over 70 to 100
Low income disabled allowance to be increased by Rs.2500
Rs.5000 allowance for those below poverty line
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