Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Budget 2019 to promote open market policies, liberalisation: Mangala

4 March 2019 09:24 am - 12     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday that the government's maiden budget for 2019 is to be presented in parliament tomorrow (5) and will further open market policies and liberalisation.

After the government presents its budget proposals, a debate would be held for a month before it is put to a final vote. Commenting on the budget, Minister Samaraweera said it would be called an ‘Enterprise Sri Lanka’ budget. “It is empowering and nurtures the poor,” he said.

Asked whether there would be concessions for public servants and farmers, he said, “We are not going to give handouts. We are helping people to help themselves. We are giving them a fishing rod instead of the fish,” he quipped.

The United National Party (UNP)-led government could not present its budget as planned because President Maithripala Sirisena brought about a regime change on October 26, 2018. The new government lasted only for 52 days. After the UNP was restored back to power, it presented a Vote on Account in parliament to allocate money from the consolidated fund for the government’s business for the first quarter of this year.

The fully-pledged budget will be presented tomorrow to make allocations for the rest of the year. (Kelum Bandara)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 12

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Yogy Monday, 04 March 2019 10:03 AM

    If you are given fishing rod insted of fish, reduce the small car prices for me to ride uber/pick me, no boasting we can see the kingdom is collapsing with all 225

    Karu Monday, 04 March 2019 10:10 AM

    We know how you have given the fishing rod to steel and allied industries with liberal tariff protection and promoted crony capitalism

    George Harry Monday, 04 March 2019 10:17 AM

    Undoubtedly, after the budget, the people who survive at least for now, will die.

    ANTON Monday, 04 March 2019 10:27 AM

    AND TO PROMOTE APPOINTING MORE AND MORE MINSTERS , DEPUTY MINISTERS AND THEIR HENCHMEN.

    Ishan Monday, 04 March 2019 10:39 AM

    you all tarnished the dream of small mans small cars, but we still remember the TV advertisement, we will look after you all at next election.

    Amara Monday, 04 March 2019 10:54 AM

    Open market policies, liberalization? Sounds good, but talk is cheap.

    Mangala Monday, 04 March 2019 11:37 AM

    Open market policies may even mean allowing import of Duty Free vehicles and reducing Duty on car imports.

    Roshanaly Monday, 04 March 2019 02:47 PM

    Don't worry, it will be a good budget, because it is the last Budget before the election.

    Crises Monday, 04 March 2019 04:00 PM

    Open market will deepens exchange rate crises as imports will be encouraged. It will also affect Foreign Currency Reserves.

    David Monday, 04 March 2019 06:02 PM

    Instead of giving fishing rods, why not increase the purchasing power of people, so that they can buy their own fishing rod?

    Channa Monday, 04 March 2019 06:51 PM

    I don't know this man knows meaning of words he is uttering . Only in Sri Lanka a man like Mangala become finance minister

    sss Monday, 04 March 2019 07:20 PM

    sir, is the businesses in our open market like your sister's - going twice to peoples bank and getting two bogus loans totaling 10 million


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H