• Also queries low edu. funding 

The main opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) alleged that the Appropriation Bill to be presented for next year (2026) does not clearly indicate the Government’s priorities, while the fund allocations for the President’s expenses are excessive.

SJB National Organiser and Parliamentarian Tissa Attanayake expressed these views during a press briefing held yesterday (7), where he claimed that Rs. 11 billion has been allocated for the President’s expenses, and that it is unacceptable for a Government that criticised previous Presidents over their expenses. He questioned how this fund allocation is justifiable.

“As per the Appropriation Bill for 2026, the amount of funds allocated for education seems to be low. This is despite the National People’s Power and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna having been vocal about allocating 6% of the Budget for education when they were in the Opposition,” he said, adding that in the Appropriation Bill for 2026, funds allocated for the education sector has declined while the amount of funds allocated for the President has increased compared to last year (2024).

Moreover, Attanayake expressed concerns about tax reliefs. He said that although the President has vowed to not increase taxes to address the 2026 Budget deficit, the Government has already imposed taxes on even essential goods and services including education, health and essential food items. He reminded the Government of its promise to lift taxes on such essential goods and services.