Buddhist sermons from AKD amid Budget speech to Opposition on right path

Assuring the 2027 Budget focusses on prosperity for future generations, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday used sermons from Buddhism in Parliament to drive home the point how the Opposition should conduct itself.

In concluding his 2027 Budget presentation, Dissanayake said: “In the modern world, Governments are changed through progressive ideological revolutions, through the intelligent decisions of the people, and through advanced policies and programs suited to the future.

 However, our Opposition is still clinging to superstitious beliefs and has been unable to free itself from regressive thinking.”

Politics, the President said, must be done by going among the people on the ground, not by tying threads in cemeteries at night, nor by wasting the time of Parliament reciting curse verses. “Likewise, read the Kalama Sutta, which the Lord Buddha preached to the Kalamas (the residents of the town of Kesaputta), pointing out that nothing should be accepted blindly but should be examined with wisdom, and understand the revolution the Lord Buddha made against blind faith. Read the Aggañña Sutta, which the Lord Buddha preached against superstition, and the Kevatta Sutta, preached against false incantations, and understand the ideological revolution brought about by the Lord Buddha,” the President said in Parliament. 

“In the Tevijja Sutta, the Lord Buddha asks whether, if a man standing on this bank of a river, wishing to go to the other bank, neither swims nor uses a boat but prays to the far bank, saying ‘Come here, far bank, come here,’ the far bank would come to this side,” Dissanayake added. 

“Criticise the Government. Question our policies. Present a better alternative program than ours. We fully accept your democratic right to do so. But bring alternative policies instead of curse verses, creative solutions instead of sorcery, and intelligent dialogue instead of Yaga and Homa rituals into the politics of this country,” the President emphasised amidst applause from Government benches.

“When the people of our country are moving forward with technology and intelligence, should the politics of the Opposition alone turn upside down and go backwards? I would like to remind at this moment that building a political culture that befits the civilised, enlightened and proud Sri Lankan identity we are trying to build before the world is a fundamental responsibility entrusted not only to the Government, but also to the Opposition. The intelligent people of this country will never again set foot in that old darkness. What we must leave behind for future generations is not our party disputes, but a prosperous and just country whose future they can take over with confidence,” stressed Dissanayake. 

Focusing on the 2027 Budget, the President said its proposals are not confined to paper alone. “They are proposals that are implemented in practice on the ground. Therefore, every new proposal will have a clearly accountable institution, outcome indicators, national priorities, a cash flow plan, and a transparency that can be easily observed by the public,” he said.

“What we are striving to build is a country that safeguards the dignity of the citizen, ensures the safety of the child, gives due value to labour, creates opportunities for knowledge, and protects natural resources for future generations,” he added. 

Having overcome the challenges that prevailed and built stability in the economy, the President said the Government’s next target is to commence a forward-looking and transformative era in 2027. “For this, the collective strength and contribution of all of you is essential to us. We have a very clear, progressive, and proud dream for our motherland. Our hope is to make this country not merely an island, but one of the most advanced countries, not only in Asia but in the whole world, rich in knowledge, skills, and modern technology,” he emphasised.

He said via 2027 budget, the Government is implementing a strong program towards that end. “We have commenced the transformation of making our younger generation and our children across the country fully skilled, advanced citizens by providing them with modern technology, science and global knowledge 

“What we need is not only to build an economically developed country, but also to build a new image of the Sri Lankan before the world. Our dream is to brand Sri Lanka in the world in such a way that a Sri Lankan is recognised as an educated, intelligent, civilised, respectable and trustworthy citizen. Our expectation is to mark before the world that, though we are a small country, our human resources are endowed with a unique intelligence. We want to prove to the whole world that we have a generation of citizens who fulfil the responsibilities they have undertaken, work with dedication, create new ideas, find solutions in the face of challenges, and can move forward shoulder to shoulder with the world. What we are trying to build is not only a new economy for Sri Lanka, but also a new recognition, a new respect and a new pride for the Sri Lankan before the world.

“Therefore, let us make the name ‘Sri Lankan’ not merely a name we pronounce with pride, but a proud name that the whole world accepts with respect. Let us prove our pledge towards that, not merely in words, but through action. Today, we extend an invitation with an open heart to all political parties in this country, to all stakeholders, and to every Sri Lankan living anywhere in the world. Come, let’s become partners in building the future of this country. We do not need to think along the same lines. We do not need to hold the same opinion. But our country is greater than our differences. The future of our children is more valuable than our individual goals. Therefore, let us bring together our knowledge, our abilities and our strengths. Let us begin from where we can agree. Let us unite, not to get ahead of one another, but to take our motherland ahead of us all! In the end, what we must leave behind for our children is not the story of how far above one another we stood, but the story of how high we all, together, raised this country.

“The victory of that story will not belong to one individual. It will not belong to one party. It will not belong to one generation alone. That victory will belong to every citizen of this country. That victory must have only one name – Sri Lanka,” the President stressed.