Budget is vital for development
The Government has stressed that this budget is essential for the development of the country that has been liberated.
Minister Dinesh Gunawardena opening the budget debate this morning on behalf of the Government said the North and East are now being added as areas that contribute to the national economy. Sri Lanka is no longer a poor country. Certain sectors cannot tolerate the situation.
Deputy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said the fuel concession has not been included in the budget due to the decrease in the prices.
Meanwhile Participating in the budget debate last evening parliamentarian Navin Dissanayake said that there is a vast difference in the country compared to the past. He said the LTTE attacked the airport and the port and the country was facing an economic crisis of great magnitude. Tourism declined to minimal numbers The debt burden had increased to 101%. There was an insurance surcharge on the country. He noted that the situation has now changed. LTTE is no longer there. When considering the macro economic stability the country is facing better prospects. He said that the bad years are behind us.