The President says the compensation given to victims of natural disasters will be increased from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 1 million.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the monthly allowance for kidney patients will be increased from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000.He further said the allowance for low-income senior citizens will be increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 and will be implemented from April this year.
The President says Rs. 2,500 million will be invested for the development of the dairy sector in the country.Â
Stating that the Northern Coconut Triangle has been identified, the President says Rs. 500 million will be allocated to cultivate 16,000 acres of coconut within the Northern Coconut Triangle.
The President has announced that Rs. 232.5 billion will be set aside for Social Welfare (Aswesuma).
The government has decided to develop sixty-one oil tanks in Trincomalee in collaboration with international partners.
The President says the Paddy Marketing Board Act will be amended to regulate paddy and rice.
Rs. 5000 million has been allocated to purchase paddy during the Maha season.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the proposed Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Act will be introduced soon.
Students from low-income families who have passed the Grade 5 Scholarship examination will receive an increased allowance of Rs. 1,500 from the existing Rs. 750.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says Rs. 100 million has been allocated for upgrades to the Jaffna Public Library.Â
Rs. 200 million will be allocated for the development of libraries in other parts of the country.
The Government has allocated Rs. 500 million for the development of sports schools in five provinces.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the Mahapola Scholarship allowance will be increased to Rs. 7500 from the existing Rs. 5000.
The President says Rs. 135 billion has been allocated for the development of Sri Lanka’s university system.
The Government has allocated Rs 185 billion for the purchase of drugs and medical equipment.
Rs. 200 million has been allocated to establish a care and treatment centre at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) for children with neurodevelopment disorders including autism.
The President says Rs. 7,500 million will be allocated to provide Nutritional Support for Pregnant Mothers.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says Rs. 604 billion will be allocated for the Health Sector in 2025.
The President says Rs. 1,000 million will be allocated to Improve School Infrastructure.
Rs. 500 million has been allocated for the project to review the school system.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says Parliamentarians will not be provided with vehicles this year as money has not been allocated for this purpose.He further said MPs will also not be granted vehicle permits this year.Â
The President says all luxury vehicles belonging to the government will be auctioned in March this year.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says a State Development Bank will be established for the benefit of the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) under the existing state banking system.
The President says the government will promote new tourism destinations in Sri Lanka.He said Rs. 500 million will be allocated to develop attractions like Anuradhapura and Yapahuwa, while these sites will be branded and marketed as key cultural and historic destinations.The President further said a digital ticket system will be introduced for tourist attractions.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the Sri Lanka Unique Identity Project (Digital ID) will be a key part of the country’s economic digital development.
Stating that ensuring the security and trustworthiness of digital systems will be a priority, he further said new laws will be introduced, and existing ones will be strengthened to certify data privacy.
The President says a Digital Economic Authority will be established as Sri Lanka transitions toward a phased cashless economy.
He further said Rs. 3000 million will be allocated for digital development.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government is working on a long-term solution to port congestion.Â
Stating that a national quality management system is required in the country, he said the government was allocating Rs. 750 million this year to achieve this goal.
The President says the government will allocate Rs. 1,000 million to upgrade scanning services at the Colombo Port and Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says government-owned lands will be leased for productive economic activities.
The President says Public, private, and privately managed economic zones will be established to attract more investments in Sri Lanka.
He further said the Economic Transformation Act will be amended to encourage budding investors.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says a National Tariff Policy will be introduced.
He said the new tariff structures will be established to create a simple, transparent, and predictable tariff framework.
The President says the government will introduce a new Customs Act by amending the existing legislation.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the 2025 – 2029 National Export Development Plan will be introduced.
He further said the government will focus on Economic Diplomacy.Â
The President says the government projects goods and services exports to reach US$19 billion in 2025, supporting economic growth.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says Sri Lanka will focus on transforming the economy and prepare to resume debt repayments from 2028.
The President says the government’s intention is to manage the limited tax funds prudently and responsibly.
The President says the highest allocation ever has been made for the education and health sectors.
He said 4% of the GDP will be allocated for capital expenditure and money will be allocated for Senior Citizen’s interest.
Assuring that steps will be taken to ensure economic stability for the public, the President says Financial Allocations have been prioritized in the 2025 Budget and Public Funds will be used in a manner that will benefit the public.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says a 5% Economic Growth is expected for 2025.
He further said the government has been able to maintain the foreign reserve at USD 6.1 Billion at the end of 2024 even after servicing debt of USD 570 million, with respect to the debt restructuring.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has commenced presenting the Appropriation Bill for the 2025 financial year to Parliament today, making his inaugural budget speech.
The Appropriation Bill for the 2025 financial year outlines the government’s proposed expenditure for the year from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
The total estimated government expenditure for the said period for 2025 has been set at Rs. 4,218 billion.Â
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has arrived in Parliament to present the Appropriation Bill for the 2025 financial year.
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