Drastic rise in health, education budget

Defence expenditure up by only 19.3%, but health up by 29.3% - MP Basil Rajapaksa:

UPFA National List MP Basil Rajapaksa yesterday dismissed allegations that the Government has only increased the defence expenditure since the allocations for post development, transport, health and education sectors too have been increased.

Starting the Budget Debate on behalf of the Government after UNP MP Kabir Hashim, Rajapaksa said the increase of defence expenditure by 19.3 per cent should not be taken in isolation.

The Government has increased the allocation for transport by 39.1 per cent while health and education sector allocations have increased drastically by 29.3 per cent and 23.4 per cent.

The MP also pointed out that people should look at this defence expenditure in terms of the achievements by the Security Forces during the past two years.

“You should add all the allocations for the defence expenditure for the past 20 years and compare the achievements within the last two years,” the MP added.

He also pointed out that the defence expenditure represented only 3.6 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. “Compared to the defence expenditure ratio of countries like Singapore, Saudi Arabia and Bhutan our defence expenditure ratio is lower than those countries,” he added.

He however said the budget proposals for 2008 are primarily aimed at protecting the Motherland and improving the local economy. He also invited those talking about people’s liberation to join hands with the Government.