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Defence takes lion’s share of 2006 budget
By Chandani Kirinde
The Defence Budget for the up-coming year has been increased by nearly Rs. 13,000 million, up from Rs. 56,300 million in 2005 to Rs. 69,470 million for 2006.
Defence is among several areas that have been allocated increased funding in the government estimates for the coming year.

The total government expenditure for 2006 was estimated at Rs. 568 billion, up from 438 billion in 2005, in the Appropriation Bill for next year to be presented by Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama in Parliament on Tuesday. The envisaged increase is Rs. 130 billion.

The allocations to almost all ministries have gone up significantly. The amount allocated for the general administration of the President’s Office too has seen an increase; going up to Rs. 1,079 million for 2006 while in 2005 it was 657 million, an increase of Rs. 422 million.

Several institutions that have got notable increases are the Auditor General’s Department, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, as well as for the general administration of Parliament.

The Education Ministry budget has been upped from Rs. 26,050 million to Rs. 34,009 million for 2006. The Transport Ministry has taken a cut from Rs. 13,338 million in 2005 to Rs. 7.790 million but the newly created Railways Ministry has been allocated Rs. 12,900 million.

The Ministry of Finance and Planning too has got a reduced budget, down to Rs. 52,791 million from this year’s Rs. 95,246,411,000
The Justice Ministry has been allocated a sum of Rs 5,636 million for its expenditure, up from Rs. 3,948 million in 2005. More funds have been allocated to the Attorney General’s, Legal Draftsman’s, Government Analysts and the Prisons Departments.

The budget for the Ministry of Relief Rehabilitation and Reconciliation has gone up to Rs. 12,512 million in 2006 while in 2005 it was Rs. 8,322 million. There has been a marginal increase in the funds estimated for the Ministry of Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation as well which has increased from Rs. 14,174 million in 2005 to Rs. 17,728 million for 2006. The Ministry of Buddha Sasana too has a considerable increase of Rs. 490 million from Rs. 277 million in 2005.

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