• The Government had agreed to convert the primary deficit of Sri Lanka which is negative at the moment to a positive figure within three weeks

By Yohan Perera   

Whilst stating that it is not possible to convert Sri Lanka’s primary deficit to a surplus within three years, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP and Chairman of Public Finance Committee Harsha de Silva said he had invited all members of Parliament to a three day meeting this week to decide on the extent of economic reforms which the nation could afford.    

 “ The Government may have agreed with the IMF or any other organization to convert primary deficit into a surplus within three years but it is not possible to do so,” Dr. de Silva told a press conference.   

“ I have invited all members of Parliament for a three day meeting of the Finance Committee this week. We shall be discussing on the state revenue on the first day, state expenditure on the second day and how to deal with the budget deficit on the third day. The Government had agreed to convert the primary deficit of Sri Lanka which is negative at the moment to a positive figure within three weeks. However this is not possible. One must have agreed with the IMF or any other organization to convert the primary deficit into a surplus in three years. However this is not possible. We in the SJB are supportive of economic reforms. However there should be a limit to the reforms that can be made. If the government goes ahead with reforms by force it will end up with a worse economic and social unrest. This is why I have asked all MPs to attend the three day meeting of public finance committee to discuss this issue. I hope that at least 30 MPs will attend,” Dr. de Silva said.   

Also the MP said he will present to Parliament the auditor general’s report on coal power deals on Tuesday.   

• We in the SJB are supportive of economic reforms. However there should be a limit to the reforms that can be made