Former Deputy Leader of the United National Party, MP Ravi Karunanayake, says that the upcoming national budget should prioritize the needs of everyday consumers rather than catering to stock market interests.
Speaking to the media, he stated that the true value of a country is not reflected in stock market performance, but in how ordinary people manage their daily lives.
Karunanayake emphasized that consumer welfare must be the central focus, especially at a time when living conditions remain difficult for many.
He also pointed out that unemployment continues to worsen, while the World Bank has reported a rise in poverty—highlighting the urgent need for people-centred measures in the new budget.
