- Government allocates Rs.1000 million for three year housing loan scheme for security forces personnel.
- Government targets a US $ 100 billion GDP by year 2016 to make the country a middle income country.
- Re-forestation will be carried out to increase the forest coverage up to 35%.
- Guaranteed price for paddy will be increased to Rs.35 and Rs.37 per kg.
- Interest on loans obtained by farmers in the drought stricken areas will be fully abolished.
- In order to popularize the organic fertilizer the government will purchase the from the local producers at Rs 400 per bag and duty on items used for organic fertilizer will be removed.
- Kelani River and Deduru Oya will diverted to provide irrigation facilities to North Western Province.
- Rs 126 billion to provide drinking water facilities to 1.58 million families in various districts including North and east.
- Fallow paddy land will not be allowed to be reclaimed and if the owners do not engage in production it will be obtain under anda govi scheme.
- No permit needed for Kithul and coconut tapping for the purpose of producing jaggery and other products in future.
- Subsidy o tea small holders will be increased from Rs.300,000 to Rs.350,000 per hectare. Subsidy for New plantation will also be increased.
- In order to increase the coconut and rubber productivity, plants will be given free of charge for replanting on lands up to 5 acres.
- The fee on Motor vehicle revenue license will be increased from 2013.
The Budget which will be presented
today by President will provide benefits to the working class people,
especially the public sector the Media Minister told news.lk a short
while ago.
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Minister of Finance will present budget for the year 2013 when Parliament meets today. The Cabinet of Ministers had approved the US$ 19.5 billion Appropriation Bill 2013 at the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday September 26.
Budget 2013 is expected to contain fiscal proposals that will accelerate the post - war development drive and consolidate the firm economic foundation laid by the seven previous budgets presented by the President, Finance Ministry sources said.
The country achieved several long term
economic benefits as a result of the prudent fiscal policies laid down
in the previous budgets presented by President Rajapaksa.
The first reading of the Appropriation Bill was presented on October 09 by the leader of the House.
The President and the General Treasury had consulted each line Ministry and other stakeholders in the preparation of the Appropriation Bill in order to formulate a realistic budget.
Emphasis has been given for the priorities identified under the Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2013-2015 and for the completion of development activities which have already been commenced and are on going.The government targets to maintain an economic growth rate of 7% while containing the annual inflation rate under 7%.
The second reading on the Appropriation Bill will commence on Friday 09 and continue till November 17 (seven allotted days). The vote on second reading will take place on November 17 at 6.00pm.
The committee stage debate will begin on November 19 and continue until December 8 (16 allotted days) including Saturdays. Parliament has resolved that a Select Committee be appointed to discuss the Heads of Expenditure of Ministries selected from the Budget Estimates of the year 2013. Accordingly, the expenditures of such ministries will be taken for debate together on December 4th and 5th.
During the period of the second and the
third readings, the House will meet at 9.30 in the morning and will
continue till 6.30 pm and the final vote on the budget (third Reading)
will take place on December 8.
"This success gives much promise of
your continued good leadership on issues of importance relating to
democracy, world peace and international relations in the coming years,"
President Rajapaksa said.
November 07, 2012
His Excellency Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
President of the United States of America
Excellency,
I am greatly impressed by and warmly
congratulate you on the success of your campaign for re-election as the
President of the United States of America. This success gives much
promise of your continued good leadership on issues of importance
relating to democracy, world peace and international relations in the
coming years.
Your victory in this keenly contested
election reinforces the trust the American people placed in you in the
landmark election that brought you to this high office in 2008. It
underscores the wide acceptance of your commitment to change in
important aspects of US policy, especially with regard to good relations
with countries and regions of the world.
I extend to you my best wishes, and that of the people of Sri Lanka, in your second term of office which you will assume soon.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Fonseka ungrateful – Tissa Attanayake
Details
Created on Wednesday, 17 October 2012 11:01
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Thissa aththanayaka
The UNP General Secretary made these comments addressing a Media Conference held at the UNP Headquarters, Sirikotha yesterday.
Attanayake said that Sarath Fonseka addressing a meeting in Kurunegala recently has called upon all patriotic people to attend the joint opposition rally to be held at Hyde Park on the 18th of this month, to make the groundwork to topple the present government. Attanayke pointed out that the JVP is an alliance party of the Democratic National Alliance headed by Sarath Fonseka and he has not invited the JVP to attend this proposed rally and questioned why he cannot invite the JVP for this proposed meeting. He further said that MP Vijitha Herath is the Secretary of the Democratic National Alliance and why he is unable to invite or get down Vijitha Herath and the other JVPers to attend his meeting and why he is interfering in to the internal affairs of the United National Party and attempting to create divisions among the party ranks.
Attanayake explained that the Working Committee of the party has decided that the UNP members should not attend this proposed meeting and emphasized that stern disciplinary action will be taken against any UNP member holding any of the posts if he or she attended this proposed rally
Speaking about the sacrifices made by the United National Party on behalf of Sarath Fonseka, Attanayake said that the United National Party made a big sacrifice in the 2010 Presidential Election by allowing Sarath Fonseka to contest the elections without naming a candidate from the party. He said that in the previous Presidential Election the UNP candidate Ranil Wickremasinghe obtained 4.8 million votes and Wickremasinghe made a big sacrifice by allowing Sarath Fonseka to contest. Attanayake questioned whether this is the gratification being shown by Fonseka to this sacrifice. He also said that Sarath Fonseka entered the election fray with a zero political base. (niz).
President instructs Shavendra to provide relief to Sri Lankan Sandy victims
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 01 November 2012 11:06
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has
instructed Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Representative in New York,
Shavendra Silva to look for any Sri Lankans affected by Hurricane Sandy
which lashed several States in the United States and provide relief and
assistance needed by any of them. The President has also directed him to
liaise with the Ministry of External Affairs in providing such relief.
The Super storm Sandy has killed at
least 117 people most of them in Haiti as it was charging through the
Caribbean. It has killed at least 48 people and left millions without
power across the Northeastern United States. The storm has plunged more
than 8.2 million people into darkness, more than three million of them
in New York and New Jersey. It has also forced the shutdown of public
transport, schools, airlines, and financial markets in the East Coast’s
largest cities. In New Jersey, officials have warned the residents to be
prepared to live without electricity for more than a week. (niz)
President urge Insurance Corp to develop insurance schemes for farmers
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 01 November 2012 10:40
President Mahinda Rajapaksa on
Wednesday (31) requested the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation to take
steps to bring relief to farmers affected by the human-elephant conflict
by introducing a comprehensive insurance scheme. He said that he hopes
the Corporation would implement this scheme without obtaining a
contribution from the farmers as a welfare programme
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said so
participating at the Silver JubIlee celebrations of the Sri Lanka
Insurance Corporation. At the ceremony 10 most senior employees of Sri
Lanka Insurance Corporation received awards for their valuable
contribution.
The President also pointed out that many farmers affected by the recent severe drought have not insured themselves whereas some are not aware of any insurance schemes. The President added that the Insurance Corporation is duty bound to implement an agriculture insurance scheme for farmers affected by the drought.
The President also pointed out that many farmers affected by the recent severe drought have not insured themselves whereas some are not aware of any insurance schemes. The President added that the Insurance Corporation is duty bound to implement an agriculture insurance scheme for farmers affected by the drought.
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