Namal scoffs at election promise for Rs.25,000 salary hike

Colombo, August 26 (Daily Mirror) - The government is bound to serve the interests of the people of this country, not only those of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential Candidate Namal Rajapaksa said.

“Government is bound to take care of people rather than satisfying IMF, World Bank and the ADB,” Mr. Rajapaksa said during a rally in Yakkala.

“We are a group that loves this nation. We are connected to the underprivileged. We are attached to our culture and temple. We have understood our responsibility of safeguarding the population of this country,” he said.

“We believe that the country’s education system has to be modernised. Children should be given the opportunity to engage in higher studies. Those who want to go for vocational training should also be given that opportunity. We believe in producing skilled persons, which the world needs today,” he added.

“Also we believe that foreign investments should be brought in. We need to follow investor-friendly policies. High taxes are a burden for ordinary citizens. It is essential to adopt a tax policy which is fair. Our administration will not change this policy from time to time,” he also said.

Mr. Rajapaksa stressed no one should deceive people by giving attractive policies such as increasing the salaries of state workers by Rs 25,000. “One should not adopt policies which are based on elections. Salary increment should be in line with the inflation,” he said in this regard.

He said state workers should be trained in technological skills. Also, he promised to resolve the issues pertaining to issuance of passports.