President Rajapaksa for the first time took part in the final day committee stage debate of the 2011 Appropriation bill, presented by himself on Nov 22 in his capacity as the Finance Minister, and delivered the reply speech. The 18th Amendment to the Constitution paves the way for President to attend parliament once in three months.
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The President said necessary legislation to implement budget proposals will be approved in parliament before next March and the coordinating meetings on the provincial level will commence after that. The President invited opposition members also to attend these meetings.
He assured to implement the Mahinda Chinthana programme giving priority to national security and national aspirations and noted that the government was able to free the country from terrorism and steer towards development since it took measures that prioritized the national security.
President Rajapaksa said that certain individuals tried to stir the communal hatred during the budget debate and sabotaging his speech at the Oxford Union was a part of it.
The President said measures have been taken in the budget to strengthen security services in order to strengthen the country's national security. The President noted the importance of safeguarding national resources by maintaining cordial diplomatic relations.
The peace time Appropriation Bill for 2011 has allocated 20 percent of the expenditure for defence sector. The total expenditure for 2011 is estimated to be over 1.08 trillion rupees and the defence sector expenses are estimated to be Rs 215.2 billion.
On economic front the 2011 budget will focus on massive infrastructure development and the restructuring of the existing tax network. It targets a reduction in the deficit to 8% of GDP next year and 5% by 2012. The debt ratio will be reduced to 70% of the GDP from the current 80%.
The 2011 budget is expected to be the first step in a three-year development strategy for 2011-2013.
(Photos by Nalin Hewapathirana)
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