Interim vote on account in December 2025 Budget in February – President

Delivering the government’s policy statement in Parliament, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today revealed key economic strategies to drive development and drive growth in Sri Lanka.

He announced that the 2025 budget would be presented to parliament in February 2025, with an interim vote on the bill scheduled for early December 2024.

Significant attention in the president’s address was paid to measures to expand the information technology (IT) sector, which he called the cornerstone of the country’s economic transformation.

Highlighting the sector’s potential, he said the current IT workforce of 85,000 would be increased to 200,000 within five years. This initiative, the president noted, is aimed at increasing IT export revenues from the current US$1.5 billion to US$5 billion per year.

“To achieve this goal, we prioritize education and language development. This will be a significant leap for the country’s economy,” the President emphasized.

Apart from the information technology sector, the President outlined plans to develop the tourism industry, which aims to attract 4 million tourists annually and generate revenue of US$8 billion within three to four years.

In his policy statement, President Dissanayake further emphasized the government’s commitment to eliminating market monopolies and promoting trade competitiveness in all key sectors.

He stressed the need to establish regulatory bodies and enact proper legislation to ensure fair play and transparency in the market.

The President further noted that the government must maintain its role in critical areas such as the energy market and financial market, providing oversight and stability while encouraging private sector participation. This balance, he explained, is critical to sustainable economic growth and protection of public interests.