Budget 2026: Smiles in every rupee

EVERY year, the arrival of Sri Lanka's national Budget brings with it familiar rituals: speeches in Parliament, presentations filled with charts, and days of debate about deficits, spending, and taxation.

- By Dr. Nadee Dissanayake

A Budget that focuses on well-being goes beyond numbers and policies; it invests in the potential of every citizen.

Economists pore over fiscal strategies, politicians argue about allocations, and ordinary citizens ask the most important question of all: “How will this affect my life?”

Traditionally, Budgets are viewed as accounting exercises, designed to raise revenue, control expenditure, and maintain economic stability. These objectives are crucial, but they often overlook something fundamental: how people actually experience security, opportunity, and dignity in their everyday lives. A nation's financial plan is not just about balancing books; it is about shaping lives.

As Sri Lanka prepares its Budget 2026, there is a unique opportunity to reimagine what a Budget can do. What if, beyond revenue and expenditure, the Budget became a tool for happiness? What if government spending were judged not only by efficiency but also by its impact on well-being, empowerment, and social cohesion? Sri Lanka has the chance to lead with a Happy Budget, investing in well-being while building a stronger economy.

At first glance, happiness and national budgets may seem unrelated. Budgets speak in rupees and cents, while happiness is often seen as personal or intangible. However, global evidence shows that well-being fuels productivity, sparks innovation, and even boosts tax compliance. Citizens who are happier tend to be more engaged, more entrepreneurial, and more resilient.