Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged the public to compare Budget 2025 speech with the promises made during the Presidential Election campaign, which outlined a vision for a prosperous nation and an improved quality of life for citizens.

Speaking to the media after the budget presentation yesterday, Premadasa emphasised the importance of assessing how many of the pledges made under the Rata Anurata concept have been fulfilled in the current budget.

He pointed out, while the election campaign had promised economic stability, the reality is that Sri Lanka’s economy is now largely under the control of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Premadasa stated that the 2025 Budget has been shaped by IMF-imposed conditions, including the requirement to maintain a primary surplus and limit government expenditure.

“According to the budget, a primary surplus of 2.5% must be maintained, and primary expenditure must be restricted to 13% of GDP.

These are not policies driven by the government, but rather align with IMF recommendations,” Premadasa noted, highlighting that the 2024 Public Financial Management Act also reflects IMF-aligned fiscal constraints.

Premadasa criticised the budget for failing to address the pressing issues faced by small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, many of whom are burdened by debt. He expressed disappointment that the budget does not provide solutions for lifting people out of poverty or encouraging entrepreneurship as a means to foster economic growth.

“The promises made to the plantation, agriculture, and fisheries sectors remain unfulfilled,” Premadasa said, calling the budget a failure in meeting the needs of these vital economic sectors.

He also took aim at President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, accusing him of abandoning the promises made during the election campaign regarding a new debt restructuring plan. Instead, Premadasa claimed, the President has become a “servant” of the IMF, implementing policies that prioritise fiscal discipline over people-centred economic reforms.

While acknowledging that working with the IMF is necessary, Premadasa argued that a more balanced approach should have been adopted – one that places greater emphasis on the welfare of the people. He called for amendments to the budget to reflect this.

Premadasa also criticised the government’s promises of salary increases for public sector employees, noting that while the President had pledged salary hikes every six months, these increases will now be phased over three years, with only marginal benefits to workers.

Furthermore, he condemned the government for neglecting the private sector in the 2025 Budget, arguing that it fails to provide the necessary support to stimulate economic growth and development.

In conclusion, Sajith Premadasa called on the public to scrutinise the government’s 2025 Budget against the promises made during the election campaign, arguing that the current policies fall short of addressing the country’s most urgent economic challenges.