Treasury Secretary outlines 2026 Budgets' six-pronged growth vision

Suriyapperuma says Govt. targets 7% GDP rise via stability, transparency and digitisation at Daily FT-University of Colombo MBA Alumni Association post-Budget forum

- BY CHARUMINI DE SILVA

TREASURY Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma yesterday declared that the economy has transitioned from crisis to stability and is now poised for sustained growth, driven by a 7% medium-term GDP target underpinned by six key strategies.

Speaking at the Daily FT-University of Colombo MBA Alumni Association and sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank with the creative partnership of Ogilvy Digital at ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo, he said the 2026 Budget was crafted after wide consultation with stakeholders to restore investor confidence, ensure transparency in public finance and build an economy capable of long-term, broad-based growth.

He noted that the country’s economic landscape has “stabilised significantly” after years of turbulence, allowing the Finance Ministry to present “a confident, forward-looking Budget” focused on governance, fiscal discipline and growth.

"Instead of a country buried in corruption, there is governance. Instead of lawlessness, the rule of law is prevailing," he said, describing the 2026 Budget as one designed to “take the country to the next phase of growth.”

Dr. Suriyapperuma outlined six key strategies driving the Government’s medium-term vision which include; inclusive growth, export diversification, sustainability in policy, production economy, rural development and digital transformation.

"These strategies converge to create the ecosystem for Lanka to move from recovery to expansion," he added, reiterating the goal of achieving over 7% GDP growth in the medium to long term through consistent and coordinated policy action.

Highlighting a retum of market confidence, Dr.Suryapperuma pointed out that the reserves have strengthened even after reopening vehide imports. The move demonstrates the resilience of the market and confidence of businesses," he added.

The Treasury Secretary also cited the Colombo Stock Exchanges record highs as a sign of renewed investor optimism.