13 September 2022 12:00 am Views - 161
By Yohan Perera
It is not right to appoint 37 State Ministers though there are constitutional provisions providing for it, MP Udaya Gammanpila said yesterday.
“One can argue that even 40 state ministers can be appointed as per the constitution. However the issue is whether it is necessary when the country is going through an economic crisis,” the MP told a media conference.
“Prices of essential goods have gone up by threefold. People have been squeezed by the skyrocketing cost of living. Is it justifiable to give perks to MPs after requesting people to tighten their belts?” the MP asked .
“Some say the scarcity of foreign currency and the devaluation of the rupee is the cause of the present economic crisis. However the huge budget deficit brought on by government expenditure is another major reason for the crisis. Money printing has resulted in high inflation. The donor institutions made requests such as reducing the number of state workers and to cut concessions in order to reduce expenditure. State expenditure is increased when more ministers are appointed. One wonders how the donor institutions and nations look at the increasing number of ministers.
They might think it is not worth assisting Sri Lanka if it does not want to resolve its crisis,” the MP added.
“It is important to reduce the number of ministers. Politicians do not understand the plight of the people. They will develop a grudge on politicians instead of making sacrifices for the nation.
Such a situation will be an obstacle to resolve the present crisis. Sacrifices should start from politicians.