Opposition slams Budget 2026 as ‘IMF-scripted’, lacking relief for people

Saturday, 8 November 2025 02:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa accuses Govt. of betraying public trust
MP Dr. Harsha de Silva states President confused between “neo-liberal” and “protectionist” ideologies; lacks clarity on economic growth plans
Flags off missing details on upcoming property tax, end of 5% senior citizen interest benefit and questions tender process for MPs’ double cab imports
MP Kabir Hashim brands Budget “all talk and no action,” saying most proposals remain unimplemented
MP Kavinda Jayawardena says the Budget offers nothing to citizens, sarcastically noting that “only MPs got double cabs”
MP Jagath Vithana warns that lowering VAT threshold from Rs. 60 m to Rs. 36 m will hurt small enterprises
MP Suranga Rathnayake says Budget prioritises fiscal targets over public welfare, widening gap between reforms and citizens’ needs

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday accused the Government of betraying public trust through a Budget that offers no tangible relief to the people, claiming it appears to have been “scripted by a top official of the IMF.”

Speaking to journalists following the presentation of Budget 2026 in Parliament, he said the Government had failed to deliver on its promises and had instead abandoned citizens struggling with the cost of living. “This is a two-tongued Government. They said one thing before coming into power and did something else after. The people have been orphaned by this Government,” he charged.

He further alleged that while President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has introduced a legal framework to promote law and order equally, it appears to serve their interests rather than national progress. “When their party members are caught with narcotics, the IGP issues circulars not to share details to the media. But when it comes to others, they make a mountain out of a molehill and turn it into a media show,” Premadasa said.

Joining the criticism, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said the President seemed “confused” between his new “neo-liberal free market ideology” and his party’s “protectionist industrial policy.”

“The President was like a parish priest preaching sermon (bana) at a temple,” Dr. de Silva remarked.

He said the President didn’t explain how the economy will grow and failed to mention key issues like the property tax from 2027 or the 5% additional interest benefit for senior citizens ending this year.

He also raised concerns about the tender process related to the import of double cabs for MPs. “We need to look into how the tender was awarded to import the double cabs,” Dr. de Silva added.

SJB MP Kabir Hashim described the Budget as “all talk and no action,” saying that “80% of what the President spoke about isn’t happening.”

Echoing similar sentiments, SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardena said the 2026 Budget offered nothing to the people. “At least the MPs got double cabs,” he quipped.

SJB MP Jagath Vithana, commenting from a business perspective, said the reduction in the VAT threshold from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million would stifle small enterprises. “This means small businessmen cannot grow their enterprises,” he said.

SJB MP Suranga Rathnayake claimed the 2026 Budget prioritises fiscal targets via tax revenue over immediate public welfare, widening the rift between the Government’s reform narrative and citizens’ expectations.