Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe says the government is working to resolve the housing issue in Sri Lanka within the next 05 to 10 years.

Minister Samarasinghe said that financial loans will be provided for government employees to build a new house or renovate their houses. 

He further said that only suitable candidates will be selected through a proper system, unlike during the previous administrations. 

“The former government spent 520 million just for housing publicity campaigns alone. This is also the public’s money,” he said. 

The minister revealed that, however, the current government is providing aid for 140 people, over 100 persons will get financial loans with low interest rates, and over 80 state employees are being provided Rs. 01 million in loans,” he said.

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe made the remarks while participating in the programme to provide housing aid in Anuradhapura yesterday (03). (Newswire)

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The government has refuted allegations of printing money and obtaining new loans after being elected to power.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that the government has not taken any fresh loans from any country or organization. 

Providing clarification on allegations about loans, he said that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has a process of renewing expiring treasury bills and bonds, which was a standard process.

He pointed out that the government has only been obtaining money by adhering to the existing process of the Central Bank.

On allegations concerning the printing of money, Minister Vijitha Herath said the government had not printed any money and was not in a position to do so. 

The Government Spokesman explained that the Finance Minister’s approval is required to print new currency notes and the President, who is the current Finance Minister, has not granted his signature in this regard.

Pointing out that such newly printed currency would require the current President’s signature on the new note, he questioned if any new currency notes bearing the signature of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake have been found in the local market. 

Minister Vijitha Herath further requested the public not to fall victim to such false information. (Newswire)

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Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has disclosed plans to introduce an amendment concerning the temporary suspension of Parate execution, indicating its imminent presentation to Parliament. 

He pointed out that this proposed legislative change signifies a proactive approach towards addressing legal matters crucial for the country’s governance and justice system.

Minister Rajapakshe also highlighted the anticipation of implementing a distinct loan scheme tailored specifically for Small and Midsize Enterprises (SMEs). 

He revealed that this initiative aims to bolster the economic prospects of smaller businesses, contributing to overall economic resilience and growth.

“The staggering amount of loans extended by two state banks, totalling approximately Rs. 602 billion, presents a daunting challenge. Much of this sum is destined to be written off as bad debt due to non-payment. Had these funds been allocated towards agriculture and industry, significant strides in growth could have been achieved. This predicament underscores the necessity for stringent financial controls within the country to ensure optimal utilization of resources and sustainable economic development. 

“To prevent crises for businesses and financial institutions, proactive measures are essential. Therefore, steps must be taken to alleviate the challenges associated with Parate execution. Plans are underway to propose amendments to Parliament regarding Parate execution to address these concerns,” the Justice Minister said. 

He added that a separate loan scheme tailored for Small and Midsize Enterprises (SMEs) is on the agenda, with President Ranil Wickremesinghe lending his support to this initiative.

The minister further emphasizes the government’s steadfast dedication to advancing legal reforms and providing support to SMEs, thus affirming its commitment to national progress and prosperity.

Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe made these announcements during a press briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre on Tuesday (Feb 27).

The full statement of Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe;

A nation’s fiscal policy is integral to its economic strength. The central bank holds significant authority in shaping this policy landscape. Reflecting on discussions surrounding Parate execution in Sri Lanka, it becomes apparent that the central bank’s focus is primarily centred on safeguarding the stability of financial institutions. However, concerns have been raised regarding whether sufficient attention has been paid to the country’s overall balance sheet, especially amidst declines in the agricultural sector from 22% to 8% and the industrial sector from 38% to 32%.

Despite borrowing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 17 occasions, the economy has struggled to regain its footing. A notable trend has been the continuous expansion of the service sector at the expense of neglecting the industrial sector, resulting in decreased production capacity. This imbalance has impeded the nation’s economic recovery and overall growth trajectory.

The staggering amount of loans extended by two state banks, totalling approximately Rs. 602 billion, presents a daunting challenge. Much of this sum is destined to be written off as bad debt due to non-payment. Had these funds been allocated towards agriculture and industry, significant strides in growth could have been achieved. This predicament underscores the necessity for stringent financial controls within the country to ensure optimal utilization of resources and sustainable economic development.

To prevent crises for businesses and financial institutions, proactive measures are essential. Therefore, steps must be taken to alleviate the challenges associated with Parate execution. Plans are underway to propose amendments to Parliament regarding Parate execution to address these concerns. 

Additionally, a separate loan scheme tailored for Small and Midsize Enterprises (SMEs) is on the agenda, with President Ranil Wickremesinghe lending his support to this initiative.

Furthermore, the government aims to implement a low-interest loan program for SMEs, collaborating with key financial institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Recognizing the importance of responsible lending, discussions with the Cabinet have led to the decision to establish a monitoring system for credit facilities. Future deliberations with the Ministry of Finance are also anticipated to refine these strategies further. (NewsWire)

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