Opposition lawmaker S.M. Marikkar on Friday accused the government of failing to address long-standing injustices faced by plantation workers and communities in the Northern Province, stating that the 2026 Budget offered no meaningful solutions to their basic problems.
Speaking during the Budget debate in Parliament, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian said it was “necessary to provide justice” to both groups for grievances dating back to historical times, and criticised the government for what he described as unmet promises and inadequate policy commitments.
“We are not opposing the salary increase for plantation workers,” he said, but added that the budget speech reminded him of remarks once made by former President J.R. Jayewardene, pointing to a shift toward the privatisation of state institutions despite earlier pledges to avoid restructuring.
Marikkar said that treasury reserves had not been strengthened through national production or foreign investment, claiming the government instead relied on higher taxes and rising prices of essential goods.
He also said the budget deficit could be managed more effectively by utilising already allocated funds.
“There is nothing in the 2026 budget. Only false promises have been presented,” he said, urging the administration to use unspent allocations from the 2025 Budget to implement development projects in the North and deliver tangible benefits to affected communities.
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