Education sector gets 14 per cent more next year

The Government allocations for both the education and higher education sectors in the country for 2013 have increased by close to 14 per cent over the previous year, according to the budgetary estimates that are to be presented to Parliament on October 9.The Ministry of Education has been allocated Rs. 37.9 billion, up by nearly Rs. 3.43 billion over 2012 while the Ministry of Higher Education has been allocated Rs. 27.9 billion, up by over Rs 4.1 billion allocated for 2012.

The biggest allocation from the 2013 Budget will go to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development as in the previous year with nearly Rs. 290 billion. This amount shows an increase of nearly Rs. 60 billion from what was allocated to the Defence and Urban Development Ministry in 2012.

Over Rs. 248.1 billion from the Defence Ministry’s budget will be for recurrent expenditure much of which is for the operational activities of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force and Police and the Department of Civil Security.

While the allocation made to the Office of the President has seen a rise with it going up from around Rs. 6.1 billion to over Rs 7.4 billion, the allocation to the Ministry of Economic Development has taken a dip, from Rs. 104.57 billion in 2012 to around Rs. 88. 9 billion for 2013.

The budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Resettlement has been slashed from Rs. 481 million in 2012 to Rs. 437 million in 2013 while Transport Ministry allocations are down from Rs. 53.54 billion Rs 44.7 billion.

The estimated total Government expenditure for 2013 is Rs. 1,189 billion.

Meanwhile President Mahinda Rajapaksa will present the Budget to Parliament on November 11. Seven days have been allocated for the debate on the second reading of the Budget while 16 days have been allocated for the Committee Stage debate.