By Saman Indrajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (24) requested the government to increase the Rs. 5,000 relief allowance given to people in lockdown areas. He pointed out that the amount was not sufficient to cover monthly expenses of a family.

Making a special statement, Opposition Leader Premadasa said: “There are delays in distributing the Rs. 5,000 allowance to the low income families in lockeddown and isolated areas in Colombo. A Grama Niladhari can distribute the money only to 100 people a day because they do not have enough resources to do that. It is also said that the government would provide a basket of goods worth Rs. 10,000 worth each to the families under quarantine. But people in some areas allege that they have not yet received it. That is why the people in several areas staged protests on roads during the past few days.”

“Even in my election speeches I said that Rs. 5000 was not enough for a family and a family should be given at least Rs. 20,000 a month. Even for a family of two, at least Rs. 15,000 should be spent on meeting basic needs. Now, many people in locked down and isolated areas do not have any income. They have lost their jobs. So the government should grant them relief.”

Premadasa demanded to know whether the government was planning to enhance monetary relief. “How many families live in the locked down and isolated areas in Colombo? Does the government have a plan to provide reliefs to these people without any delay? How many families have got the monetary relief and essential goods packages at the moment? What are the steps you are planning to provide reliefs for people suffering from COVID-19 lockdowns in other Districts in the country?”

In response state Minister Shehan Semasinghe said that a detailed answer to Premadasa’s questions would be provided on Friday (27). “We will provide detailed answers for these questions on Friday. Our government will never let the people down. Until the answers are provided, I request Premadasa not to instigate the people.”

Opposition Leader Premadasa: “I do not instigate anyone. These are the real problems people are facing at the moment. It is sad that the government thinks that speaking about these things instigate the people.”

MP Semasinghe: “You were speaking about giving Rs. 20,000 to a family even during the election time. But people rejected you.”

Opposition Leader Premadasa: “I am glad that Semasinghe accepted that the government has no intention to increase the monetary relief. Thank you for that.”

MP Semasinghe: “Now, you are twisting what I said to mislead the people. I did not say that we would not increase relief. Ours is a responsible government. People voted for us because they believe we can protect them. We will not let them down.”