Budget 2011 :

Progressive and dynamic

By Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Government Ministers and MPs said the Budget 2011 presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa paved the way to spur development and build a better future for the people without being confined to mere pledges.

The Government members pointed out that the Budget contains a series of key proposals to achieve sound economic growth and expedite development to realise the Government's objective of making Sri Lanka the "Emerging Wonder of Asia".

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said the Budget has opened the path to a brighter future for the country. It has given a clear outlook on the prudent economic policies adopted by the Government to develop the country. The Budget has laid emphasis on economy, education and all other key sectors. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said the Budget has looked at all sectors. It has laid special emphasis on SME sector. The Budget has increased the salaries of public servants. We want to strengthen the medium and small scale businessmen. Therefore the Budget has given special priority for them. The Budget has given concessions to small scale businessmen and those who are willing to commence new business ventures. The Budget has given every possible relief measure necessary to turn Sri Lanka into the "Wonder of Asia".

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said the Budget has given tax concessions to all sectors such as exports, agriculture and other industrial sectors. It has also laid emphasis to increase economic development and provide more employment opportunities to youth.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said Budget 2011 is a very methodical Budget formulated to change the country. It has explained reality to the country and made a series of recommendations to get the country in the right direction. The Opposition had created a myth that Budget 2011 would impose series of unbearable taxes on the people. But the Budget has removed even the BTT tax charged by the Provincial Councils for retail business. The Budget has opened avenues to encourage the small and medium scale industries and export industries as well. This would help generate employment.

The Budget has also made a lot of contribution to develop the Northern and Eastern provinces. Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha said the Budget has been formulated for the next six years by clearly mentioning the set targets. The Budget contains a long-term economic vision to the channel the benefits of the economic development to the people. It has given relief to both State and private sector. In addition to a 5 percent pay hike given to public servants, Rs.600 has been added to their cost of living allowance. The Budget has completely removed the Business Turnover Tax while the existing complicated tax system has been turned streamlined. The Minister said the Budget has encouraged local investors. It has laid special emphasis on youth and Rs.5 billion has been allocated for year 2011 to direct 300,000 youth for various jobs.

The Budget has also proposed to provide employment to 10,000 graduates. It has allocated a large amount of money for education and health sectors. The Budget has covered all aspects of the society.Construction and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa said the Budget has laid a solid foundation to achieve massive economic growth in 2011. It has covered all key sectors. The Budget has encouraged the local investors and given relief to improve their production. It has given the maximum possible relief which can be given to the public servants. This is one of the most successful budgets presented in the recent times. It has paved the way to empower the common masses.External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said the Budget 2011 has been formulated based on a very balanced approach. All key areas such as development and welfare have been given priority. Economic development would be our key challenge within the next few years. Therefore our foreign policy should be formulated aiming to attract more investors to our country.

Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said Budget 2011 is a very positive budget. It would immensely help attempts made by the Government to turn Sri Lanka into the "Wonder of Asia". The Budget has benefitted investors and the private sector. This can be described as a Budget which has laid emphasis on relief and development.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the Budget has touched all sectors. The President's Budget speech was a very progressive one. It has clearly shown the ways and means of creating a much better country. The Budget has immensely benefitted to all stakeholders. Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the Budget has laid a solid foundation towards the program initiated by the Government to turn Sri Lanka into the "Wonder of Asia". It has facilitated to increase our economic strength and infrastructure facilities. If the youth are disappointed, it would be difficult to turn this country into the "Wonder of Asia". Therefore the Budget has decided to give 10,000 jobs to graduates. It has also given concessions to small and medium scale businessmen. Budget has not curtailed any relief or subsidy measures.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said this is a very successful Budget as it has recommended a series of relief measures to middle class and ordinary businessmen. Most of the budgets presented by former Governments attempted to further strengthen the rich people. As a significant feature, Budget 2011 has paid special attention on the middle class. Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka said the Budget 2011 has proposed reforms in the tax sector.

At present the Government has been able to bring poverty, unemployment and inflation to a single digit.

Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera said now the Opposition may think as to what they can do against this budget. The Budget has opened avenues with a solid economic background to make Sri Lanka the "Wonder of Asia".