Less for defence, more for health, education & social security - Siyambalapitiya vows

by Amani Nilar 13-11-2022 | 5:05 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The upcoming appropriation bill, which is due to be presented on Monday (14), will focus on more aid for the people, said the State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday (13), the State Minister said that defense expenditure will be decreased at this time while more will be allocated for social security.

Accordingly, the State Minister said that Defense expenditure has been decreased to Rs. 410 billion, while social security has been allocated Rs. 572 billion, education has been allocated Rs. 504 billion while the health sector has been allocated Rs. 432 billion.

He stressed that the Government has paid more attention towards the provision of basic necessities to the people at this time of a crisis with the appropriation bill.

"We are trying to rise up once again as a country in 2023. A budget has never been defeated in Sri Lanka. If a budget is defeated, it would impact the Government in a dire manner. According to the 47 (2) clause in the Constitution, it can be considered as a dissolution of the Cabinet, which then leads to the dissolution of the Government. Therefore it is very important that this budget receives approval," he added.