‘People-friendly, development oriented budget’
Ridma DISSANAYAKE, Ishara MUDUGAMUWA and Nimal
WIJESINGHE, Anuradhapura Additional Correspondent and Gayan Rajapakse
Budget 2013 presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Parliament on
Thursday in his capacity as the Finance Minister is a people- friendly
and development oriented budget, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena
said.
Expressing his view on Budget 2013, the minister told the Daily News
the budget allocated Rs 125 billion for the health sector and this is
the largest allocation made to this sector in the history of Sri Lanka.
“This proves that the present government is doing its best to upgrade
the country’s free health service,”the minister said.
“This budget has provided a number of relief measures to all sectors
in the country.
The allowance of public servants has been increased by Rs.1,500,
while a livelihood allowance of Rs.5,000 has also been granted to the
destitute July strikers, Rs.500 to pensioneers as a cost of living
allowance and the provision of shoes and uniform material to school
children are the some of greatest proposals presented by this budget,”he
further stated.
“Budget 2013 is a budget which targets the development of the all
sectors in the country. The budget provides a number of long term relief
measures to all segments of the public from government servant to the
July striker and pensioner,” Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development
Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne said.
“This can be described as a historic budget, with the largest
allocation made by a Sri Lankan budget. This budget will help make Sri
Lanka,a poverty free country,”he added.
“President Mahinda Rajapaksa granted many relief measures to the
fisheries community through his previous budgets, by way of tax relief
and introducing an insurance and pension scheme for fishermen. He
granted the maximum support to the fisheries sector, while allocating
massive amounts of funds for the development of the fisheries
harbours”,the minister said.
“The President has paid much attention to the Ceylon Fisheries
Corporation (CFC) and highly appreciates its achievements,the Minister
said.
“President Mahinda Rajapaksa has provided huge massive relief to the
fisheries sector through Budget 2013, by allocating Rs.20,000 million
for the development activities of the fisheries harbours, Ceylon
Fisheries Corporation (CFC) Chairman Maheel Senaratne said.
“This can be described as a very successful budget proposal. The CFC
is very happy about the increased tax on imported canned fish. We think
that this measure has been taken by the government to empower the canned
fish industry in Sri Lanka, which was commenced by the CFC. Another
proposal to reduce the tax on imported fish will be a great support to
the local canned fish industry.”the chairman said.
“The aquaculture industry, inland water fish industry, canned
fish,dry fish and Maldive fish industries will be further developed with
the
relief measures granted through this budget and as an institute
affiliated to the country’s fisheries sector, the CFC will do its best
to achieve the President’s target to make Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia,
Senaratne further stated.
Mahajana Eksath Peramuna General Secretary Karunathilake Dissanayake
yesterday said the United People’s Freedom Alliance’s (UPFA) seventh
budget is a development oriented one, prepared with the strategies which
are essential to strengthen the country’s economy.
“This budget has provided tax relief to small and middle scale
industries. This will strengthen the country’s economy when the economic
downturn in certain Western countries seems to be getting worse.
“We,Sri Lankans have eradicated terrorism from the country under the
leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and at the President has
launched a massive countrywide development programme to make Sri Lanka
the “Wonder of Asia, ”Dissanayake stated.
Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane said this budget is a
pro people budget which will have a positive effect on the agriculture
sector.
He said through this budget, the government has taken a number of
measures to promote organic fertilizer with the objective of reducing
the usage of chemical fertilizer which has caused an increase the number
of kidney patients,especially in the North Central Province.
“According to that the government has taken measures to give a
certified price of Rs.40 for kilo of paddy cultivated using organic
fertilizer and provide a 50 kilogramme bag of organic fertilizer at a
certified price of Rs.400.” said the minister.
Further, he added that the government has also taken measures to stop
the importation of a number of agro crops by 2015 and introduce a
cultivation insurance scheme for farmers.
“Through this budget, the government has taken measures provide
Rs.3.5 million subsidy for the re cultivation of an hectare to tea small
holders. The government has also allocated money for the promotion of
organic fertilizer usage for coconut cultivations and will provide 10
million coconut saplings for growers.” he said.
Coonstruction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities
Minister Wimal Weerawansa said President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented a
budget which aims at development and enhancing public income.
North Central Province Chief Minister S.M.Ranjith Samarkoon said
President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented a budget which would benefit the
whole nation, specially with provisions to uplift the economy of
farmers.
This is the first budget in the recent past, which will help the
country reach self - sufficiency in food and expressed his gratitude to
the President as the proposals, will be of great benefit to the North
Central Province farmer community.
“President Rajapaksa presented a well- balanced budget which brings
great relief to government servants and pensioners.
It is highly The decision to grant Rs 5000 to the poor victims of the
July Strikers is most gratifying, Agrarian Services and Wildlife Deputy
Minister S.M. Chandrasena told the Daily News. He said the budget
proposals presented to Parliament is of tremendous benefit to the
farmers who were severely affected by the prolonged drought and
subsequent heavy rains in the recent past.
“The proposal to provide free seed paddy and postpone the collection
of loans granted to farmers by state banks until harvesting time,
providing fertilizer at a concessionary rate and introducing a farmers
insurance scheme are welcome by the farmer community,” he added. |
