There is no visible growth in the economy under this government and economic contraction in all sectors continue, Opposition MP Eran Wickramaratne said in Parliament.
Speaking during the debate on the mid-year fiscal position report (2023) in Parliament Yesterday (08), MP Wickramaratne stated that the 2023 budget by the President has become a mere list of promises.
He further said that the government revenue in the first five months of 2023 had been reported as R. 1,200 billion, while the expenditure was Rs. 2,130 billion during the same period. “When there is a gap of Rs. 1,000 billion between revenue and expenditure, people of this country will not believe that the economy is taking a turn towards greener pastures.”
The MP also said that there is neither any proof of the claimed progress nor transparency in the government’s affairs to assert the gradual progress that is being claimed.
“The only visible truth is that the economy had been shrinking continuously since the start of 2019 in all its sectors. The real estate sector has contracted by 12%, financial transactions by 11%, the construction industry by 21% and the manufacturing sector by 13%.
The government continues to talk about improving farming, but the farmers have been neglected thus far. Paddy and rice production have decreased by 13% and tea production has decreased by 16% with the importation of excreta fertiliser, unavailability of fertiliser in a timely manner and slashed subsidies. Most people no longer have access to good quality proteins such as meat, fish, or egg.
The manufacturing economy of the country is completely destroyed, and the member asked what the government’s solution for this might be,” he said.
Focusing on the 2023 budget promises made by the current President as the Minister of Finance, the MP highlighted that the only promise that had been kept is the one on the production of Cannabis.
“For most of these promises made, there is no Ministry to neither take accountability nor implement,” MP Eran Wickramaratne further said.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP also outlined the following proposals presented by the President;
- The establishment of an international trade office for all international trade negotiations
- The introduction of updated labour laws
- The formation of a national institution to add value to mineral resources
- The appointment of a Presidential Commission for taxation. At this juncture, the opposition asked for the formation of a permanent commission. Neither has transpired in to existence.
- It was said that a health insurance scheme will be introduced to the employees of the private sector and proposals were drawn up to give a stipend limited to three months until they find employment.
- Reformation of state-owned enterprises – it was said that the few key state enterprises including SriLankan, SLT, CEB etc. will be restructured and income generated will be directed to strengthen the rupee.
- There was also a suggestion to provide free internet facilities to 1,000 secondary schools. The member challenged the government to present the list of schools that had been provided with internet facilities.
Commenting on the proposals, MP Wickramaratne stated that all these will remain only as budget promises and will not reach fruition.
The MP emphasised that it is time for the people of this country to understand that the future will hold even less hope for revival if in the event past mistakes are repeated. (NewsWire)