Colombo, Sri Lanka – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today presented his government’s maiden Budget for 2025 in Parliament, outlining a comprehensive economic plan aimed at stabilizing the economy, promoting investment, and enhancing social welfare. As the Minister of Finance, the President delivered the budget speech at 10:30 a.m., emphasizing fiscal discipline, economic democratization, and long-term growth strategies.
Economic Growth and Fiscal Policy
President Dissanayake projected an economic growth rate of 5% for 2025, acknowledging the challenges posed by rising energy costs, tax increases, and high-interest rates. He affirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining public debt restructuring efforts, emphasizing that any abrupt changes could destabilize the nation’s financial recovery.
- The government is developing a methodology for prioritizing tax fund allocations to maximize public benefit.
- The largest budget allocation in history has been made for health and education services.
- A stronger regulatory framework will be introduced to prevent monopolies and ensure a fair market economy.
Trade, Exports & Investment Policies
A key focus of the budget is boosting exports and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to drive economic recovery.
- The government aims to increase exports to $19 billion in 2025.
- A National Export Development Plan (2025-2029) will be implemented to expand exports of goods and services.
- A new Customs Act will be introduced to streamline trade processes.
- Sri Lankans living abroad will be engaged in commercial partnerships to enhance investment inflows.
- A National Tariff Policy will remove barriers to obtaining high-quality raw materials.
Infrastructure & Digital Transformation
To improve the ease of doing business and modernize Sri Lanka’s economy, the government has proposed several digital and infrastructure initiatives.
- Establishment of a Digital Economy Authority to regulate digital financial transactions.
- Rs. 3,000 million allocated for digital economic development.
- Rs. 500 million allocated for a tourism industry digital ticketing system.
- Rs. 1,000 million to enhance the scanning system at Colombo Port and Katunayake Airport.
- A railway-based integrated multimedia cargo logistics center will be established at Veyangoda Inland Container Yard to ease container traffic congestion.
Public-Private Partnerships & Business Reforms
The government is taking bold steps to promote investment and industrial development.
- Leasing of state-owned lands for productive economic activities.
- Amendments to the Economic Reforms Act to encourage green technology investments.
- Digitization of public services and introduction of a one-stop-shop for business approvals.
- A new bill on public-private partnerships to streamline collaboration between the state and private sector.
- Introduction of the Bankruptcy Bill to facilitate business restructuring.
Social Welfare & Healthcare Investments
In a major move to support vulnerable populations, the government has allocated significant funds for healthcare, women’s empowerment, and social welfare programs.
- Rs. 7,500 million allocated for pregnant women’s nutritional allowances.
- Rs. 5,000 million for a mothers’ and children’s nutrition program.
- Rs. 120 million to protect and empower women.
- Rs. 720 million to support the women’s network across the country.
- Expansion of over 1,000 primary healthcare units and regional hospitals, with a focus on non-communicable disease prevention.
- Rs. 604 billion allocated for Sri Lanka’s health budget in 2025.
- Rs. 185 billion designated for medical supplies.
- Rs. 200 million to build an international-standard treatment center for children with neurological disabilities at Ridgeway Arya Lama Hospital.
- Palliative and geriatric care services will be launched in every district to support the elderly population.
President Dissanayake emphasized that the budget is rooted in fiscal discipline, economic vision, and social equity. He called for collective national discipline to ensure that the country moves forward on a path of sustainable development while minimizing corruption and waste.
“This budget is designed to guarantee the economic rights of the people, prioritize social benefits, and create a resilient, self-sufficient economy,” he concluded.
With a strong focus on economic revival, export expansion, and digital transformation, Sri Lanka’s 2025 budget aims to lay the foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.
