INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
scheme, individuals above 60 years of age will be eligible for one-year fixed deposits of up to Rs
1 million with an annual additional interest rate of 3 percent, above the prevailing interest rates in the market for ensuring their
2025.Creating a Drug-Free Society:President said that drug addiction is a significant concern in Sri Lanka, affecting various segments of
society and therefore, the Government has recognized the importance of creating a drug-free society through multifaceted approaches that go
public sector transportation, a modern and comfortable fleet of technologically advanced buses will be introduced on a pilot
Proposed bus companies will operate on a fully digitized platform.Railway Sector:Rs
500 million allocated to rehabilitate old railway passenger coaches targeting to rehabilitate passenger coaches to enhance the efficiency of
250 million for 2025 to the Department of Railways to initiate building new coaches aiming at fulfilling new passenger coach requirements
within the country.Proposal to extend the Kelani Valley Railway Line, which currently operates up to Avissawella, beyond Avissawella in
250 million will be made through the 2025 budget to begin the initial work related to this.The Government will implement a joint time table
transport terminal development project which would have important spill-over effects in terms of regional development.Plans to upgrade the
Thambuththegama Railway Station by incorporating loading docks with storage facilities upon the recommendation of the study
To support this initiative, he proposed an allocation of Rs
100 million for the feasibility study as the initial step.Uplifting the Living Standards of Malayagam Tamil People:Accordingly, Rs
866 million is allocated for smart class rooms for schools in Malayagam Tamil community.Industrial Zone dedicated for Chemical Manufacturing
in Paranthan, Northern Province.There will be 5 Industrial parks such as KKS, Maankulam, Iranawila, Galle and Trincomalee
He proposed to allocate Rs
requirement for this purpose within the already allocated budgetary provisions of Rs
1,500 million under the Ministry of Industry for this purpose.Rs
240 million allocated as compensation for victims of elephant-human conflicts, bringing the total budget for mitigating the elephant-human
Accordingly, he proposed to allocate Rs
300 million for this purpose.Rs
1,000 million allocated for essential maintenance of the apartment complexes constructed by the Central Government.President Dissanayake
comprising 108 housing units will be reserved from the Palathuruwatta area in Kottawa for artists and journalists who make special
estimates under the Department of Community Water Supply for the year 2025 to complete the community water supply schemes which have already
been started and to commence new community water supply schemes.Govt to implement a strategic recruitment plan to hire 30,000 individuals in
the Private Sector workers from Rs
27,000 in April 2025 and to Rs
30,000 from 2026, the President said.In addition to the programmes focused on the development of plantation sector, the Government will
intervene to increase the daily wages of the workers to Rs
1,700, according to the President.Betting and Gaming Levy:The Gross Collection Levy to be increased to 18%.Casino Entrance Levy to be
increased from USD 50 to USD 100.Proposed Legal Reforms:The President said that the Government will introduce a number of legal reforms in
the coming year to establish sound legal provisions aimed at fostering rapid economic development, good governance, and effective public
public services and ensure the proper collection of state revenues.New legislation to be introduced to safeguard the rights of the investors
and provide a conducive environment for foreign investment.A new legal framework to be introduced to ensure the effective management of
state-owned business enterprises, thereby creating those enterprises free from political influence and enable them to operate as
Act to be introduced, intended to encourage foreign and domestic private investments in collaboration with the public sector.A new
Statistics Act will be introduced to replace the long-standing legislation governing population statistics and Census in Sri Lanka,
incorporating updated methodologies and concepts.New legislation for management of Government Valuation Department.Government to introduce
new legislation for non-financial asset management.Govt to introduce a public procurement law as a timely necessity.The government to
6 of 2006.Government to amend the Paddy Marketing Act.Rs
pensioners who retired before 01.01.2020 will be revised in three phases, based on the salary scales applicable for the year 2020, as per
Public Administration Circular No
03/2016.The minimum monthly basic salary of government employees to be increased by Rs
8,250 in the minimum salary.The minimum annual salary increment for the public sector will be increased from Rs
life due to natural disasters will be increased from Rs
Lanka IOC, 61 oil storage tanks in the Trincomalee tank farm will be developed as a joint venture with international firms, aimed at
entering the international fuel market.Govt to allocate Rs
500 million to be allocated to cultivate 16,000 acres of coconut within the northern coconut triangle.Rs
Proposals for Education:Grade 5 scholarship allowance for students from low-income families will be increased from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500.Rs
1,000 million will be allocated through 2025 Budget to uplift school infrastructure.Rs
7,500.The breakfast meal allowance for pre-school students will be increased from Rs
100 million will be allocated to increase the salaries of preschool teachers.Pre-school teachers to receive an increased allowance of Rs
introduced.- A national export development plan will be implemented from 2025 to 2029.President AKD said that 4% of the GDP will be
that in 2022 Sri Lanka faced its worst and most complex social, economic and political crisis in history since the independence which
delivering the 2025 Budget Speech in the parliament, a short while ago.The Cabinet of Ministers had granted approval for the Budget 2025 to
be presented to the Parliament during the Cabinet meeting held this morning (17).This article is being updated
