Harsha slams 2026 Budget, decries Rs. 1 t deception

SJB MP points to Rs. 1 t deception; says Treasury overflowing while poor taxed more ™ Says Budget 2026 built on broken promises, false narratives @ Labels housing, loan plans for State workers “a joke” 1 Warns of new property tax and record Rs. 3.8 t borrowing ™ Accuses Govt. of failing youth, SMEs and elderly

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SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva

SAMAGI Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has slammed the 2026 Budget as a betrayal of public trust, built on false narratives and unrealistic promises.

“In my detailed response to the 2026 Budget speech, I exposed a Government that has not only failed to deliver on its core election promises but has presented a Budget that is a betrayal of the very people who voted for it,” he said in a statement.

While acknowledging that the Government has maintained the macroeconomic stabilisation achieved by the previous administration, Dr. de Silva said it has “no plan for economic growth.” He described the Budget as “not a system change, but the same old thing wrapped in anew flag.”

Pointing to what he terms a Rs. 1 trillion deception, Dr. de Silva alleged that the Treasury is overflowing with an unanticipated Rs. 1 trillion surplus generated mainly from vehicle imports worth more than $1.4 billion.

“Instead of using this surplus to provide relief, the Government is increasing the tax burden,” he said. He accused the administration of widening the VAT net by lowering the threshold from Rs. 5 million to Rs. 3.6 million per month, a move that would hit small businesses directly.