UNF government presents third budget

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 November 2003, 15:22 GMT]
"It is the government’s wish, and of all right thinking people of Sri Lanka, that no further political crises be created which will derail the existing process and that all political issues, if any, be sorted out by objective consultation and decision," said the United National Front government’s Finance Minister, Mr.K.N.Choksy, in his 2004 Budget speech delivered in parliament Wednesday evening, parliamentary sources said.

The UNF government's Minister of Finance, Mr. K. N. Choksy, produced the Budget for 2004, on 19th of November at Sri Lanka's Parliament in Sri Jayewardenepura. On his left is Minister G.L. Peiris.

"The establishment of a dialogue with the LTTE and the existence of ceasefire agreement signed by the government and the LTTE after about twenty years have contributed to [the] resuscitation of the country's economy," said Mr.Choksy.

Mr.Choksy tabled the UNF government's third budget when parliament resumed its sittings Wednesday.

Delivering the budget speech, he said: "I concluded my last budget speech in 2002 by asking that we be judged by the results that we deliver. As this House is well aware on assuming office the challenges before this Government were both formidable and complex. Our legacy was an economy that had been battered and bruised. We have strived hard to resurrect it by adopting as three pronged approach of promoting peace, macro economic stability and growth, and employment creation.




Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (R) and Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakse talking at the tea party following the budget speech in Parliament. People Alliance’s parliamentarian Mr. A.H.M.Fowzie is seen at the Center.


"On peace we have advanced to a point where we need considered yet decisive action to pursue the interest of all the people of Sri Lanka.

"The challenge before us is to deliver the peace and prosperity that all the people of this country desire. We have constructed a strong foundation. The government possesses the vision and the strategy, as well as the conviction and commitment to bring about a brighter future for this and future generations of Sri Lankans. It is the government wish, and I have no doubt also that of all right thinking people of Sri Lanka, that no further political crises be created which will derail the existing process and that all political issues, if any, be sorted out by objective consultation and decision

"This, the Nation is entitled to demand from all those who hold the reins of the Government."




Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) parliamentarian, Bimal Rathnayake, shouting and disturbing the Budget speech of Mr. K. N. Choksy.