Cutting down expenditure to distribute essential goods will not be a success: SJB MP

1 September 2021 08:52 am Views - 167

• The government will be forced to cut the total salaries of public servants in the Central Government which amounts to Rs. 270 million annually
• The funds received from IMF, China and Bangladesh will only result in a temporary stimulation of the economy

By Yohan Perera

Cutting down expenditure in order to distribute essential food items under emergency laws will not help the current financial crisis, an SJB MP said yesterday. 

He said that such a measure will only escalate the crisis. SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told a press conference that the measures announced by the government will not help in reviving the economy.

“The government will be forced to cut the total salaries of public servants in the Central Government which amounts to Rs. 270 million annually, Rs. 240 million spent for salaries of those in Provincial Councils, Rs. 200 million which is spent annually for the salaries for the security personnel, Rs. 85 billion spent for police and the amount spent for goods and services which comes to Rs. 180 billion annually. As such, is it possible to cut down these expenses?,” he questioned.

“One will have to cut down these expenses as most of the state funds are spent for salaries and goods and services. 

• The 150 million dollars received from Bangladesh is a SWAP arrangement which Sri Lanka has to settle in three months
• $ 787 million received from the IMF can be spent only for COVID pandemic containment