This Budget has given much relief to the people at grassroot level and it helps promote investment. That is why Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe avoided giving any comments regarding the budget, Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said.

He said that the Opposition leader might have understood the salient features in the budget that would give impetus for the country’s development and that may be the reason why he refused to make any comments over the budget.

Speaking at the 2012 Convocation of the Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka (AATSL) at the BMICH yesterday, Minister Fernando said that all segments of the society have been benefited by the budget.

He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s practical and pragmatic policies helped achieve many objectives in the economic field.

He opined that the UNP leadership and the party lacked this practicality. This lacuna was clearly visible after the people rejected the UNP government in a short span of two and half years, he said.

Fernando said that the government has provided relief to a vast range of sectors from agriculture to investment.

“This budget is a relief to almost all sectors closely connected to the country’s development process. The farmers to investors are reaping the benefits from this budget, he said.

The minister said that some segments with well-known origin alleged the government that it would fail in the management of country’s economy after the government succeeded in eradicating terrorism.

“These cynical elements scoffed at the government when it took vibrant decisions for the uplift of agriculture, investment and many other sectors. He said that the government has made many achievements in the field of economy despite these aspersions.

“Sri Lanka has seen tremendous development in the field of economy under the able and dynamic leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa”, he said.

He said that the 2013 budget has created conducive atmosphere for the investment to thrive. Minister Fernando added that ample employment opportunities are available for the AAT fellows.

He said that most of AAT qualified left the State sector as salaries for accountants and account technicians are low in state sector compared to private sector. He said that the cutting edge technological knowledge should be introduced to the AAT fellows.

The minister said that the Act to incorporate the Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka would be presented to parliament in January giving more legal recognition to the Association.

“This institution is not a burden to the government”. Fernando noted that the government faces challenges in finding employment to those who qualify for the university entrance.

He said that a minimum percentage of students are admitted to universities and the government faces enormous challenges in providing employment to the rest.

Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne. Association Presdent Ganaka Amarasinghe and Secretary and the chairman of the membership committee Sunil Wanigabadu were also present.