A review meeting on projects implemented under the 2025 budget allocations for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation, along with discussions on pre-budget proposals for 2026, was held at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
During the session, the President held separate discussions with officials from the sectors of agriculture, livestock, lands, and irrigation. He instructed them to promptly resolve existing issues related to government-owned lands and to establish a comprehensive database system.
President Dissanayake stressed the importance of prioritizing sectors that are vital to lifting the country out of its current challenges when planning the upcoming budget. He directed officials to focus more on projects that would contribute comprehensively to the national economy, particularly in the fields of agriculture, livestock, lands, and irrigation.
The President also highlighted that these sectors are key government programs aimed at eradicating rural poverty and integrating rural communities into the economic mainstream. He further instructed officials to place greater emphasis in the upcoming budget on developing local dairy production and animal husbandry as viable industries.
Pointing out that mere financial allocations are insufficient, the President underscored the need for robust mechanisms to ensure that the benefits of such projects reach the people effectively.
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation Dr. Susil Ranasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, and a group of senior officials from the Ministry were present at the event.
