Amunugama hails President's role in economic revival

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi and Ranil Wijayapala

The second budget of the UPFA Government and also the last Budget under the Presidency of Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was presented to Parliament yesterday by Finance Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama just nine days ahead of the Presidential Election.

Dr. Amunugama in a black safari kit entered the Chamber with the box containing the budget secrets at 2.05 p.m. as Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara gave him the floor to present the Budget speech.

The Minister was accompanied by his deputy, the stalwart from the Kegalle district Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

However, the Minister presented his budget speech to a half empty Chamber as Members of the main Opposition comprising the United National Party, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Ceylon Workers Congress and Upcountry People's Front abstained from attending the sittings in protest of the presentation of Budget.

Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera of the Jathika Hela Urumaya who wanted to remain independent in the House and Mano Ganeshan of the Western Province People's Front were among other prominent absentees in the House.

The Members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, the partners of the UPFA, Jathika Hela Urumaya and the Tamil National Alliance were present as the Minister presented his budget speech.

The Minister gave an in depth analysis on the economic strategy of the UPFA Government for 2006 through the preamble of the Budget taking exactly two hours and ended at 4.05 p.m. to take the half an hour traditional tea break prior to the presentation of budget proposals.

The Minister hailed the attempts by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to elevate nation from the position of the under-developed country to a middle level income country during her tenure expanding from 1994.

The Minister also emphasised the necessity of solving the ethnic question through a negotiated settlement if the country is to be directed in the right track of economic development as emphasised by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

The absence of the main Opposition in the scene gave a lethargic atmosphere to the tea party hosted by the Finance Minister Dr. Amunugama for the MPs, foreign dignitaries and also Government officials at the Parliament cafeteria.

After the tea party, Minister Amunugama continued with presenting budgetary proposals and benefits to the public, which received thumping applause from the Government Members. At the end of presentation, Premier Rajapakse extended his congratulations to Minister Amunugama while other Ministers were also seen congratulating him.