All set for today’s budget

Ridma Dissanayake

All arrangements have been made to present the budget proposals for 2013 today, SLFP General Secretary and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa has gone through the final draft of the budget which will be presented to Parliament at 1pm. The government is to present development-oriented, and small and medium-enterprise friendly proposals through budget 2013 while protecting democracy,” he said.

Addressing a press briefing at the Mahaweli Centre yesterday, the minister said the budget proposals were prepared by President Rajapaksa with the assistance of economic experts.

"As on previous occasions, the government formulated the budget proposals after obtaining views and suggestions of all sectors including Farmer Organisations and Trade Unions. All measures are to be taken by the government under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to face 2013 positively and turn Sri Lanka to a knowledge hub," he said.

Petroleum Industries Minister and United People's Freedom Alliance General Secretary Susil Premajayantha and Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister and SLPF Treasurer Dullas Alahapperuma were also present.