Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday stated that the Budget 2023 is an integrated and well planned budget.
The Prime Minister made this observation joining the second reading debate of the budget 2023 in Parliament.
The Prime Minister said that the existing government is a united coalition government and many Parties like the Podujana Peramuna, UNP, MEP, SLFP and EPDP formed a coalition government to recover the country. All Parties were requested to cooperate.
Responding to Dr. Harshada Silva’s statement in Parliament on Tuesday (15) to dissolve Parliament and hold a general election, the Premier emphasized that according to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, it is not possible to hold a general election in the middle of the term. He said that although one-third of the representatives of the United States Senate can be appointed through mid term elections, there is no such provision in Sri Lanka’s constitution. For this reason, the Prime Minister requested not to mislead the people by declaring that there is no responsibility.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the time when the President presents the budget as the Finance Minister should not be forgotten, that the country is in a period of greatest crisis. He said that about 150 state corporations have not yet sent their reports to Parliament. He said that the decision to re-investigate the lands belonging to the government is a bold step, that arable land should be used for cultivation, and that women and youth should be empowered. He said that measures have been taken in the budget for social security to reduce the gap that does not exist. He said that Agrahara insurance will also be provided to the remaining pensioners.
