The general public should not assess the 2027 Budget solely on the basis of welfare benefits or tax concessions, but should instead consider its overall economic direction and the transformation it seeks to achieve, Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando has said.

Emphasising the need for a broader assessment of the Budget, the Deputy Minister said its real significance lay in how its proposals would help transform the economy, expand production, attract quality investment and create employment opportunities.

Making a special statement on the government's third Budget under the National People's Power (NPP) administration, Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha said the first two Budgets had focused on addressing economic challenges and establishing much-needed macroeconomic stability in the country.

Having achieved progress towards economic stabilisation, the government is now seeking to move towards economic expansion and structural transformation, he said.

The Deputy Minister identified quality investment, greater economic engagement, increased production for export markets and employment generation as key priorities underpinning the 2027 Budget.

He said the Budget had been prepared around these objectives, with financial discipline remaining a central consideration in allocating public funds.

The government also intended to ensure that the benefits of improved public financial management reached the people, while leaving no room for corruption, waste or financial mismanagement, Deputy Minister Fernando added.

While indicating that the 2027 Budget would include appropriate welfare measures and other benefits, as well as possible tax concessions, he stressed that these should not be the sole measures by which the proposals were evaluated.

Instead, the general public should examine the overall Budget framework, including how financial resources would be utilised to take the economy to the next level and move Sri Lanka towards upper-middle-income country status.

He said the economic transformation would take place gradually, through clearly identified measures, strategic investments and the effective allocation of financial resources.

Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha expressed confidence that the 2027 Budget would provide hope to the people while remaining aligned with the mandate given to the government.