The Budget 2022 yesterday announced a thumping Rs. 85 billion expenditure for the rural development program ‘Gama Samaga Pilisandara’ (Discussion with the Village) championed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

“We can trace back all Budget estimates in recent history from 1886. I would like to point out that this is the first instance when such a huge amount of allocation is provided for rural development,” Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said, presenting the fund allocations for rural development in the Budget 2022.

The initiative was conducted by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and has garnered the goodwill of the rural community.

However, the Opposition MPs opined that the big expenditure on the rural development initiative was announced to regain the voter base lost due to multiple crises in the country, soaring cost of living and shortage of essential items. 

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