Sri Lanka budget ignores provincial polls while stripping council powers: MP

EconomyNext reports that ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam spoke against the government’s 2027 budget in parliament, criticizing its lack of reference or funding for the long-delayed Provincial Council elections.

EconomyNext reports that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented a plan to place six District General Hospitals under central government administration: those in Mannar, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Gampaha and Avissawella. The outlet says the hospitals are currently administered by Provincial Councils and are among the country’s 20 District General Hospitals.

EconomyNext reports that Rasamanickam said the proposed transfers would diminish provincial authority while the elections remained postponed. He also alleged that the government had reversed a provincial role in environmental policy established the previous year, without obtaining Provincial Council agreement.

EconomyNext reports that Rasamanickam additionally criticized the budget speech for not discussing land release in the North and East, plans for a constitution, or the government’s stated intention to end the executive presidency. The report gives no further information on next steps for these matters.