R. Sampanthan- TNA Trincomalee District MP:

In my view, the Budget seeks to ensure that the President presents many more Budgets. The Budget seeks to please and placate wide segments of society, in an effort to ensure their political support for him at an election to be held very soon. It must not be denied that there are benefits that accrue to the people in the matter of development, in the matter of relief, in the matter of employment and other facilities. But, the overriding trend and theme of the Budget, quite clearly, is focused on the forthcoming election. One does not get the impression that these proposals have been prepared after careful study and introspection by various Ministries in charge of different subjects. If that was done, one would have seen a more cohesive, coordinated development programme, which could have benefited generally, the vast majority of the people. What one sees instead, are favours and handouts by the Head of State who also happens to be the Minister of Finance, to various segments and sections of society, to induce them to extend their support to him, to continue to be the Head of State at the forthcoming election.

The North and East were devastated and destroyed by a vicious war. From the point of view of infrastructure, due to the efforts of various countries, with regard to the North, particularly India and other countries and other organisations, very much has been done, but very much more needs to be done. The biggest problem faced by our people is their inability to get back to their lands, which are yet occupied, or newly taken over by the armed forces or others. Both in the North and the East, housing and livelihood are the main problems. They need to be addressed early. The people in the North-East directly affected by the war are yet to be put on their feet. The Government’s insensitivity, caused either by the lack of political will or its narrow political agenda, is disappointing. The Government should realise that there is responsibility on the part of the Government, not merely to evolve an acceptable political solution, but also to take steps to ensure that the North-East is rebuilt and reconstructed, and that the people who occupied the North-East are able to live in that area as equal citizens. During his speech, the President has also referred to political issues. We have worked with the Government to arrive at a solution to our problems. We are prepared to do that. But the Government is playing foul; the Government is not being genuine. I am not confronting the Government. I respect many people in the Government. I respect President Rajapaksa. I am prepared to talk to him and resolve this question. I am not a stooge of the Government. I am also not a person who will confront the Government. I am a person who would like to work with the Government. My Party would like to work with the Government. We are prepared to negotiate an honourable solution, a reasonable solution, an acceptable solution, a durable solution that will be acceptable to all the people in this country.