News
Cash-strapped SLPP can’t afford Rs 229 bn package, says SJB
Top Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) spokesperson and economic guru Dr. Harsha de Silva said yesterday the cash-strapped government couldn’t afford to provide a Rs 229 bn relief package at the moment. In response to The Island queries, Dr. de Silva has sent us the following statement: “The government is losing control of the economy. At this rate we will be a free fall fairly soon. Looks like they are hallucinating. The solution offered has absolutely no relevance to the problem we are facing. We are in a Balance of Payments crisis. We have no dollars. That’s the problem. Fixing it with a swap here and a credit line there is nothing but plaster solutions. We need real reform. I doubt anyone but ourselves can help us now. It’s too late.
But instead of addressing that, other than to say in the Cabinet Paper that the country can absorb an adjustment of the LKR to market rates (which they estimate at Rs 230 to the USD) on a completely flawed logic and therefore it must be artificially held at 200 and VAT cannot be adjusted (to what it was), they have introduced this relief package.
Well, the people are feeling the high cost of living. Official Inflation is double digit after 13 years and food inflation is 22%. Unofficially it’s almost double that. So, yes people need help. Mind you this was created by this government. Two major wrong deductions. One, unprecedented and unnecessary tax cuts in Dec 2019. Two, a totally destructive ban of fertilizer. These had nothing to do with the pandemic. Yea the pandemic has an impact but these two decisions are what brought us to this almost bankrupt situation.
Anyway, since no supplementary estimates can now be brought to Parliament (passed by 2/3 this budget) and he says no taxes will be increased the question is where is the LKR 229b going to come from? Unless they cut capital expenditure, where will they find the money? But it is almost guaranteed they will not do so, including the LKR 100b to be dished out to local government members to prepare for LG elections. So ultimately the Central Bank will end up printing all this money.
We now are the lucky recipients of the fabulous outcomes of two years of money printing Modern Monetary Theory experiment. This round of printing will only exacerbate the problem by starting a wage-price inflation spiral. Almost text book style, if anyone in their government wishes to consult a basic Economics text.
We are heading for disaster.”
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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