This is perhaps the first time in Sri Lanka a chamber of commerce is interested in looking at the social impact of the national budget. Amidst a shrinking Government and a decaying state it is heartening to note that the business community is increasingly concerned about social effects of economic and fiscal policy. I welcome and thank the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for engaging in such a public discourse on the social implications of the budget in addition to the economic and fiscal implications.

I propose to look at the social implications of the budget 2001 from two perspectives. One is to look at the public expenditure on social sectors of the economy from 1997 to 2001, and compare with defence and total public expenditure. Second is to look at some of the social implications of Government’s fiscal measures enunciated in the budget speech by the Deputy Finance Minister.

Budget 2001 PDF

Last update : 28-06-2011 16:22

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