President presents seventh budget

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday presented to Parliament, the 7th budget of the government under his leadership as President. Parliament met at 1.50 pm yesterday presided by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. After the presentation of papers Prime Minister D M Jayaratne commenced the second reading of the Appropriation Bill.

On the invitation of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, the President entered the House with the budget proposals in his capacity as the

Finance Minister to the applause of the ministers, deputy ministers, and government MPs.

Before the President commenced the budget speech UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardena stood to raise a point of order. The Speaker stating that the second reading of the Appropriation Bill had already commenced did not allow him to interrupt the President’s speech.

Thereafter a smiling President Rajapaksa commenced his speech.

Governors, Chief Ministers, diplomats, Secretaries to the ministries and senior public servants were present in the public gallery.

The President commenced the Budget speech stating that it was a pleasure for him to present his speech when his elder brother Chamal Rajapaksa was presiding as the Speaker.

The President then delivered his budget speech amid desk thumping by the government benchers.

Presenting the relief and development oriented budget for the financial year 2012, the President concluded the budget speech at around 5 o’clock.

After Parliament was adjourned President Mahinda Rajapaksa invited the government members and the Opposition members for the traditional budget tea party.