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Key highlights of Budget
2015
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1.40 pm -President opens his speech
with a preamble of the developments of the past few years including the war
and the post-war developments.
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1.45 pm – The rural economic
developments followed by the g0vernment are based on ancient, traditional and
post-independence leaders who were also concerned about this. We are building
a new economy based on these ideals.
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1.50 pm -Infrastructure development
was neglected during the war but there
been rapid infrastructure development when the war ended in May 2009
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1.53 pm – Former LTTE cadres are being
reintegrated, trained and absorbed to the armed forces and the police.
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2 pm – While receiving foreign aid,
Sri Lanka has also been transformed to a country that provides aid to
countries in crisis and in disaster situations
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2 pm – Our Government will increase
the per capita income of each individual by four times in coming years.
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2 pm – Foreign reserves are at $10
billion while foreign debt has been reduced to 30 per cent compared to last
year
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2.01 pm- The Government reduced
electricity prices by 25 per cent recently due to the resurgence of alternate
energy sources.
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2.03 pm - 750,000 low cost houses
provided to those who were displaced from their dwellings for development
purposes.
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2.10 pm – Because of the ec0nomic
transformation and rapid development, mobile technology has taken off and
everyone is using a mobile phone now
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2. 15 pm – Rural poverty reduced
to 7.6 per cent from 15.8 per cent
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2.20 pm – 678 small rural irrigation
schemes constructed at a cost of Rs 3 billion
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2.21 pm – Construction activity has
increased by 17 per cent
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2. 22 pm – Sri Lanka is expected to
raise US$ 2 billion in foreign investment this year
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2.23 pm – Apparel export earnings to
reach $5 billion
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2.24 pm – Export earnings expected to
reach over $11 billion
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2.25 pm – Life expectancy per person
would reach 80 years by 2020
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2. 27 pm – The student intake to Sri
Lankan state universities will increase substantially to 100,000 per year by
2020 (from around 20-25,000 per year now)
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2. 30 pm – Export earnings to reach
$20 billion by 2020
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2. 32 pm – Per capita income to reach
$7,500 by 2020
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2.33 pm – Foreign loans: These are
taken for a specific purpose ‘ Not for eating (apita kanda ganne nahe)’
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2. 37 pm – SriLankan Airlines and
Mihin Air together fly to 90 destinations using a fleet of 25 aircraft * 2.
40 pm – Special integrated tax on motor vehicles which will raise Rs 5
billion
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2.40 pm – Cigarette and liquor taxes
to raise Rs. 14,400 million
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2.45 pm – $100 entrance fee at casinos
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2.45 pm – 47 of 54 state enterprises turned
into profitable units
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2.47 pm – Property of tax evaders
would be acquired
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2.47 pm - Tax Department to g0 online
from tomorrow for tax payments
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2.50 pm – Water rates – First 25 units
will be reduced by 10 per cent
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2.50 pm – Rs. 750 million allocated
for areas affected by water borne diseases
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2.50 pm – 500 small buses to be
imported to strengthen transport services
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*2.51
pm – New airports in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya
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2.57 pm – New state plantation company
to be set up
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2.57 pm – Rs 5,000 million allocation
for new state of the art factories at Hingurana and Pelwatte Sugar Cos.
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2.57 pm – Rs 1000 and 10 per cent
dividend to be paid to EPF members who have over 10 years service
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2. 58 pm – Rs 750 million allocation
to improve facilities for judges
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*2.58 pm – New courts to be
established to expedite cases and reduce delays
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* 3 pm - Rural road development allocated Rs 20
billion
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* 3 pm - Airport refurbishment allocated Rs 17
billion
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3 pm – Customs wil be computerized
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3 pm – Postal Dept improvement – Rs
1.5 billion allocated
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3 .02 pm – Postal workers who now use
bicycles will be given motor cycles at concessionary rates
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3. 03 pm – Seed paddy will be provided
free to farmers
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3.05 pm – Railway workers anomalies to
be resolved with Rs 2 billion allocation
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3.05 pm – Special tax on vehicle
imports
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3.07 pm – Guaranteed price for rubber
at Rs 300 per kilo
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3.07 pm – One stop trade facilitation
centre at the Customs
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3. 15 pm – Garments sector
workers pension scheme proposed
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3.15 pm – Guaranteed price scheme for
small-time fishermen
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3.16 pm - Rs 1.05 billion used to improve fisheries
sector
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*3. 18 pm – Local milk powder prices
reduced by Rs 100 per kilo and yoghurt reduced by Rs 3 from Rs 30 per cup
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*3.20 pm – Chicken and egg exports to be encouraged
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*3. 22 pm – Kidney patients will
receive Rs 3,000 per month
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3.24 pm – Rs 700 million allocated for
women suffering from cancer
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3.25 pm – Rs 500 million allocated for
mobile health units
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3.27 pm – Ayurvedic physicians to
receive Rs 5,000 per month
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3.27 pm – Pre school teachers to get
Rs 2,500 per month and loan of Rs 10,000
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3.29 pm – 50,000 Teaching assistants
to be appointed at Rs 9,500 per month
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3.30 pm – Mahapola scholarships
increased to Rs 4,000 per month from Rs 2,500
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3.35 pm – Government will encourage
and support new innovations and creations
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3.40
pm- Loans to be given to journalists to improve their skills. Earlier
they got vehicle loans
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3. 34 pm – Lionel Wendt and Lumbini
theatres to receive Rs 300 million for renovations
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3,45 pm – Under Divi Neguma, 25,000
new villages will be established
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3.45 pm – Divi Neguma support for
families to be increased to Rs 4,000 from Rs 1,000
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*3.45 pm – Pension scheme to be
established for migrant workers
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*3.47 pm – Aerospace Engineering
faculty to be established at the Moratuwa University
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*3. 47 pm – Sri Lankans with dual
citizenship can work in Sri Lanka at reduced tax rates for five years
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3.50 pm – Small entrepreneurs
like barbers, tailors, sewing
mistresses, etc to get tax exemption upto Rs 50,000 per month and Rs 50,000
loan at 6 per cent interest
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*3.52 pm – Supermarket complex at a
cost of Rs. 1.2 billion to be established at 9-acre Chalmers Granary in
Colombo
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3.54 pm – The elderly to receive
increase in monthly payment to Rs 2000 from Rs 1000. Special day care centres
with all facilities including TVs to be set up for elders.
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4 pm – Rs 100 million financial
assistance scheme for those who produce tele dramas reflecting family values
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4.01 pm – Motorcycle loans at
concessionary rates for suburban teachers * 4.05 pm – Pension and insurance
scheme for 3-wheeler drivers
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4. 07 pm – 6 per cent interest on
loans for import of new buses and tax exemption when selling their old buses.
Reduced taxes for import of passenger transport vehicles/vans
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*4. 10 pm – Import tax on electric
vehicles reduced by 25 per cent
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*4.12 pm – Rs 50,000 motor cycle
allowance for police sergeants and constables
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4.13 pm – Police officers to get same
incentive for third child similar to facility given to the army
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*4.15 pm – 12 per cent interest for
bank deposits by elderly persons
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4.15 pm – Request to supermarkets and
retail shops to reduce price of commodities by 10 per cent as VAT and other
taxes have been reduced
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*4.20 pm – All allowances to be
incorporated in public sector wages and minimun salary to be increased to Rs
15,000
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*4.20 pm – Cost of Living allowance to
be increased to Rs 10,000 from Rs 7,800 per month making montly minimun wage
of public sector worker at Rs 25,000
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*4.22 pm – Senior public officers with
20 years’ experience and SLAS officers to get additional Rs. 15,000
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*4.22 pm – All casual employees who
have served over 180 days to be made permanent
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4.23 pm – Rs 500 increase per month
for private sector employees Summing up:
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4.27 pm - Every Sri Lankan should be committed to
develop the future of the children of this country budget speech ends –
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Extract
from sundaytimes.lk
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