Development-oriented Budget today, promises Ravi K

• Says it will have long-term action plan to fulfill aspirations of all people 

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday reiterated that the Government will present a development oriented Budget 2017 today in Parliament fulfilling aspirations of all people.

“We will present a development-oriented budget with a long-term action plan to fulfill aspirations of all citizens. We will strengthen the national economy,” said Karunanayake whilst putting final touches to the 2017 Budget yesterday along with his officials.

He also said that priority has been given to the people’s proposals in preparing Budget 2017 andthe needs and views of the people were taken into consideration in order to make them representatives in Budget 2017. 

Budget 2017 will be presented to Parliament by Karunanayake on the directive and guidance of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The Minister said that among the wide range of groups whose views are included in the budget were farmers, fishermen, labourers, small, medium and big time entrepreneurs, self-employees, industrialists, investors, trade union representatives, civil organisations, political parties, professionals, university teachers, professors and religious leaders.

In addition, the Finance Ministry had received nearly 2,500 proposals from ordinary people living in different parts of the island to be considered for Budget 2017.

The Budget to be presented to Parliament is the 70th Budget in Independence Sri Lanka. It is the third Budget by the regime of Good Governance. The theme of the Budget this time is ‘Towards rapid development with benefits to all’.

Karunanayake further said that close attention has been drawn to the proposals, with a view to solve youth unemployment, new plans to reduce cost of living, plans to promote several sectors including investment, education, health and agriculture.

The Budget proposals this time are expected to take tangible initiatives to end poverty in the country. It will also be the stepping stone for a national operation to save the future generation from the prevailing colossal debt trap through its long-term development agenda.