Summary of Budget Speech

Summary of today's Budget Speech is as follows:

*Government servant's cost of living
 The Hon. President Mahinda Rajapaksha mentioned that the cost of living allowance of government servants will be increased by Rs. 1200 from January.

*Farmers' pension payment
 The Hon. President said that the farmers' pension would be put into force from January 2014 . The Hon. President said that a minimum of Rs. 1250 would be paid as pension for farmers who are above the age of 63 years.

*Sanitary
 A provision of Rs. 900 million would be said aside for supply of pure drinking for those who are deprived of such facilities. Provisions would also be supplied for purchase of annual uniforms of health-workers, nurses and family health-workers.

*15 housing complexes fr temporary residents
 The Hon. President announced that 3 housing complexes would be erected in Makola for police officers from outstations, but employed in Colombo.

*Semi-tax concessions for the share-market
 The Hon. President Mahinda Rajapaksha said that semi-tax concessions would be allowed to listed companies of the share-market for 3 years from the year 2014.

*World Youth Council 2014
 He mentions that the World Youth Council he held in Hambantota and thereby he hopes to develop the skills and capabilities of youth in the country.

*An international reconciliation centre for Colombo
 The Hon. President said that technological facilities would be provided for judicial proceedings and hat a 5 year programme is proposed to expand and be implemented in the field of law and courts. He also mentioned that through such a procedure he hopes to propose an international reconciliation centre in Colombo. He says that the salaries of private judges too would be increased by 8 per cent.

* 5000 flats in Colombo
 He says that priority would be given to establish 5000 housing flats in Colombo for temporary residents in Colombo.

*Building of airports
 The Hon. President said that facilities for both international airports are presently being increased.

*Higher education and Information Technology
 The Hon. President said that the knowledge of Information Technology in the country would be enhanced with an Information zone being established in Hambantota. He further said that Rs. 1000 billion would be set apart for internet facilities with the motive of expanding Nenasela centres.

*Hostel issues of university students would be solved
 Hostel constructions for university students are already underway with an expenditure of Rs. 15000 billion spent to resolve the hostel issue of university students, the Hon. President said. Through this procedure he says that the hostel problem of first and second year students would thereby be minimised.

*Interest-free loans for women
 The Hon. President assures that a
loan of upto Rs. 250000 is proposed for women entrepreneurs. This opportunity would be afforded to women upto 68 years and such loans will be interest-free.

* 5 holiday resorts for those engaged in the Arts
 The Hon. President Mahinda Rajapaksha says that 5 holiday resorts would be provided for those involved in the Arts so that they could carry on their work in leisure. He also said that land necessary for such a purpose would be allotted to them.

*Licences for transportation of furniture, no longer effective
 The Hon. President announced that the procedure of furniture transport license would be repealed.

*Health facilities
 The 3 year queue for cancer patients would be brought down to 6 months. Though cancer patients are expected to remain for a period of 3 years to secure treatment at the Maharagama Cancer hospital, the Hon. President Mahinda Rajapaksha said that that period of time would be reduced to 6 months. Such congestion could be minimised by developing a number of leading hospitals in the country including Colombo.

The Hon. President said that nourishment of pregnant and lactating mothers should be enhanced.

He said that Divineguma and Samurdhi programmes should be utilised to propagate consumption of local milk produce and eggs.

He also pointed out that programmes advocating and balanced diet should be publicised.

* 20000 milk cows would be imported
  The Hon. President said that he proposes importing of 20000 milk cows. He says that this step has been taken with a view of enhancing local milk production. The Hon. President proposes an allowance of Rs. 7500 for Veterinary doctors.

The Hon. President suggests a monthly pension of 1250 for farmers over 63 years of age. He said that for such a purpose. a capital fund of Rs. 1000 million would be launched. He further says that a sum of Rs. 5000 per acre would be granted annually to develop the economy of small tea plantations. 

*Coconut plantations would be reinforced
 He said that the coconut plantation industry would be strengthened; thereby limiting the import of coconut oil. He further said that while tea, rubber, coconut, cinnamon and pepper exports would be strengthened, the plantation industry too would be developed.

*Drinking water projects
 He said that a sum of Rs. 1400 would be set aside to complete the drinking water projects and electricity projects in the North and East.

He further said that all fertilizer that is presently being supplied at 350 for the Yala and Maha kannaya would be supplied continuously.

*Government loans to be reduced upto to 65 per cent
 The Hon. President Mahinda Rajapaksha said that under the government, the Telecom, Insurance company and the Pelawatta Sugar factory are making profits already.

He also said that out one lakh graduates have been absorbed into government service. He mentioned that he hopes to met the budget deficit by 3 per cent by the year 2016.  In the same way he said that government loans would be reduced by 65 per cent.

* 47 out of 54 government projects are making a profit
  The Hon. President Mahinda Rajapaksha said that the number of CTB buses would be increased by 2000. He also said that steps have been taken to repair the old pipeline system of Petroleum Corporation. It was mentioned that 47 of the 54 government establishments were running at a profit by now. The Hon. President also said that selling lands to foreigners would no longer be permitted.

He also said that no government institution would be nationalised.

*A sum of an income of 1500 billion dollars is expected from the tourist industry.
 The Hon. President says that he expects 1500 billion dollars from the tourist industry.

  He also said that investments for cement, steel; boat and ship- building have been encouraged.  

  He said that by the year 2020 he hopes to develop the export earnings upto 20 billion dollars.