Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says today’s budget speech should be compared with the policies presented on the presidential election stage, which promised a prosperous country and a beautiful life.
MP Sajith Premadasa emphasized the need to examine how many of these promises have been fulfilled in the budget for 2025.
He pointed out that while the policies presented under the “Rata Anurata” concept pledged to create a stable economy, the reality shows that instead, the country has been handed over to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and that budgetary measures have been carried out within the constraints set by the IMF.
Addressing the media today on the government’s budget for 2025, MP Sajith Premadasa said, according to the budget, a primary surplus of 2.5% must be maintained and primary expenditure must be limited to 13% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He asserted that the 13% cap introduced in the 2024 Public Financial Management Act aligns with IMF policies and that maintaining a primary surplus of 2.5% is a direct IMF recommendation.
The Opposition leader pointed out that only a very limited amount of resources have been allocated for investment.
A Budget Without Solutions
MP Premadasa criticized the budget, stating that it fails to provide solutions for small and medium-scale entrepreneurs trapped in debt and does not offer a way out of poverty.
He argued that the budget does not support high economic growth through entrepreneurship and that pledges related to the plantation, agriculture, and fisheries sectors have not been fulfilled.
President Becomes a Servant of the IMF
While it was stated on the election platform that a new debt restructuring agreement would be pursued, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is now directly following the IMF’s path, MP Premadasa claimed.
He added that although working within the IMF framework is necessary, he would have adopted a people-centric approach if he were in power, further urging for amendments to the budget.
Salary Increases in Six Months, Just a Dream
MP Sajith Premadasa also stated that the current President has abandoned the public mandate and has become a hostage to the IMF, calling for a comparison between the budget speech and the initial policy proposals.
He noted that although there were claims of salary increases for public sector employees every six months, in reality, the increments would only materialize over three years, and even then, the amounts would be insignificant.
The Opposition Leader further criticized the government for neglecting the private sector. (Newswire)