Mangala ready to implement proposals; refutes opposition claims of an election-oriented budget

Against the backdrop of MP Namal Rajapaksa's comments regarding the Budget, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has said the government will implement these proposals and that after elections when the government resumes power it will take steps to implement its future programmes.

Minister Samaraweera who made these remarks at a press briefing today (March 7) added that he was please with the feedback he had received regarding the Budget .

"After the budget was presented, even the opposition MPs responded well to the budget proposal," he said. Mr Samaraweera said further that while this year was a election year, Budget 2019 was not an election budget.

"Several concessions were provided to the people in this year’s budget despite the huge amount of loans which remain unpaid. Public servants will now receive an additional allowance of Rs 2500 from July onwards," he said pointing out that this was done in the backdrop of the previous increment of Rs 10,000 which is being implemented in four instalments since 2016.

On the same lines, the Finance Minister said that measures would be taken to address the findings of the Salaries Commission after its report is tabled before the cabinet.

Mr. Samaraweera also said that the allowances of tri-forces security personnel were increased after a period of 20 years. 

He added that the government hopes to create a developed and intelligent young generation by providing loans for the higher studies of students. 

“Only a few students qualify for university entrance following their G.C.E. Advanced Level examination although some 300,000 sit for the exam annually. Students who failed to do so can now pursue their higher education without any obstruction,” he claimed.

Commenting on the impending elections, Finance Minister Samaraweera said that a presidential election might be announced towards the end of October with the general elections to be held either before or after the presidential polls.

"Parliamentary elections should be held in August 2020. But plans are currently underway to conduct both polls at the same time" he remarked.