A pre-budget discussion on the 2026 budget with private sector businessmen from the plantation sector was held yesterday (26) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The meeting was organized to gather suggestions and opinions on addressing issues in the export sector.
The government has so far succeeded in significantly increasing state revenue and establishing a degree of economic stability. However, the main objective of this discussion was to seek the views of businessmen and industrialists on overcoming the critical challenge of strengthening Sri Lanka’s dollar reserves, which are essential for stabilizing the national economy.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to provide the necessary facilities to businessmen and industrialists. At the same time, he pointed out that they should pay fair taxes proportionate to the facilities extended to them.
Highlighting that an economy cannot grow if restrained by brakes, the President emphasized that his administration is committed to expanding the economy, which had previously contracted.
He further explained that the government is implementing specific programs to increase export revenues, aiming to maintain stable dollar reserves while minimizing the potential negative impact of easing import restrictions.
During the discussion, the issues affecting exports of tea, coconut, and rubber were examined in detail. Representatives from these sectors presented their challenges and proposed solutions to the President, requesting prompt action to resolve the pressing problems.
The event was attended by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Senior Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, Chairman of the Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe, as well as private sector businessmen and representatives from the tea, rubber, and coconut export industries.
