Harsha calls 2025 Budget a continuation of past policies

Wednesday, 19 February 2025 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has sharply criticised the 2025 Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, accusing it of continuing the same “cursed economic program” that has plagued Sri Lanka for the past 75 years.

Opening the debate yesterday, De Silva questioned the President’s claim that the past Governments had cursed the country, asking, “If the previous Governments have inflicted such a curse, does the current Government approve of it by continuing the same policies?” He went on to state that the Government’s new economic program to break free from this alleged 75-year curse would not be perceived as a genuine change in direction.

The MP further raised doubts about the President’s understanding of economic principles, saying it was “impossible to imagine” whether the President had confused the Bible with the Dhammapada or abandoned one for the other. “This raises questions about whether the President has deceived the people,” he said.

He also said that the Government’s new program to break the 75-year curse was not be seen at this Budget.

De Silva also took issue with the ambiguity of the Budget’s economic ideology, remarking that it was unclear whether it was intended to be socialist, capitalist, or a mix of both. “The President must explain what this Budget truly represents,” he demanded.

In addition to his criticism of the overall Budget, De Silva highlighted the risks involved in the Government’s reliance on vehicle imports to generate tax revenue. “Vehicle import is very risky. Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates?” he said, citing the substantial price hikes of popular vehicles. He pointed out that the Toyota Raize had increased to Rs. 12.2 million, the Toyota Yaris to Rs. 18.5 million, and the Prius to Rs. 28.9 million.

“Given these prices, it’s hard to see how anyone other than the most affluent could afford to import vehicles at these rates,” he added. De Silva questioned the feasibility of the Government’s plan to raise a significant portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports, describing the policy as a risky and uncertain approach in the current economic climate.

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