Over Rs. 700 billion has been spent by the Government to control the COVID-19 epidemic and provide relief to the public, State Minister of Finance Ajith Nivard Cabraal said.
The State Minister pointed out that the amount was nearly half of the country’s total revenue of Rs. 1380 billion which was recorded for 2020.
The Health Ministry has spent a significant amount of money with regard to the coronavirus pandemic.
The expenditure includes PCR and antigen testing, construction of new treatment centres for infected people, providing relief bags of Rs. 10,000 per fortnight to a quarantined family, as well as the services rendered by the Army and Police, State Minister Cabraal revealed.
He added that despite spending so much money to control the coronavirus epidemic, the Government was balancing other economic activities in the country, such as paying loan instalments to foreign financial institutions.
Providing a breakdown of the expenses, Cabraal said the Government has spent Rs, 560 billion, including Rs. 50 billion for low-income families receiving Samurdhi benefits.
Rs. 90 billion has been spent on free medicines, Rs. 40 billion for disabled war heroes, Rs. 250 billion for pensions, Rs. 35 billion for fertilizer subsidies as well as Rs. 70 billion for various subsidies such as maintenance of loss-making public institutions, he stated.
“Peoples’ #lives matter: Peoples’ #livelihoods also matter: without livelihood, People can’t pay their loans, rents, leases, etc,” he tweeted.
The Minister further stated that it was essential for the people to call for the opportunity to work without a lockdown.
He also called on the public to assist the Government to complete the steps taken by following proper health advice at this crucial juncture.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, today received US$ 780 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle said Sri Lanka will also receive another US$ 300 million from the China Development Bank.
Commenting on the IMF’s loan, State Minister of Finance Ajith Nivard Cabraal said it will improve liquidity and stabilize the Forex market.
“#Exporters & #importers who expected LKR to depreciate would now do well to convert Forex receipts early & phase out imports, respectively. @IMFNews #lka #SriLanka #GoSL #economicrecoveryplan,” he tweeted. (NewsWire)
