Experts hail Budget for consistency, discuss implementation hurdles and opportunities

Key insights shared at Daily FT-Colombo University MBA Alumni Association post-Budget Forum 2026

- By CHARUMINI DE SILVA

TOP private sector figures and public officials on Tuesday shared insights, analysis, implementation challenges and interpretations of the Budget 2026, highlighting its potential to drive investment, innovation and inclusive development of the economy.

Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma on participated as the Chief Guest at the 15th consecutive post-Budget forum organised by the Daily FT, in partnership with the University of Colombo MBA Alumni Association sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank with the creative partnership of Ogilvy Digital at ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo.

Dr Suriyapperuma engaged in an open, candid discussion on the country’s economic direction with the first fully fledged Budget under the National People’s Power (NPP)-led Government.

He was joined by an eminent panel of economists and business leaders, comprising Senior Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs and Finance Duminda Hulangamuwa, Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri, Economist Dr. Roshan Perera, Selyn Sri Lanka Director Business Development Selyna Peiris and Colombo University MBA Alumni Association President Ajith De Silva.

The discussions were moderated by Daily FT Editor and CEO Nisthar Cassim.

Below are excerpts of the panel discussion.

There have been a lot of concerns expressed about access to finance and credit growth. Last year’s Budget proposed several low-interest loan schemes, yet we continue to hear that access to finance remains a challenge. How do banks view this situation?

Thewarathanthri: There are two aspects to address here, access to credit and credit growth.