Release of Mahaweli Authority owned lands to Divisional Secretariats SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga calls for reversal of budget proposal

• There are proposals to digitalize state services but no funds have been allocated for this purpose

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga who is now sitting in the opposition yesterday requested the reversal of the budget proposal to release Mahaweli Authority owned lands to Divisional Secretariats.

“Don’t allow this proposal to go ahead,” he told Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena during the second reading debate on the budget.

He stressed that lands have been held by the state even during the monarchies.

“We also call for the reversal of the proposal to privatize SriLankan Catering which have been profitable entities,” he added.

“There are proposals which cannot be called as budget proposals. There was a proposal to appoint a committee to look into the possibility of promoting cannabis plantation, Can this be called a budget proposal? There are proposals to digitalize state services but no funds have been allocated for this purpose,” he questioned.
Also, the MP questioned the credibility of the team headed by former Central Bank Governor Indrajith Coomaraswamy whom he said has proposed wrong advice with regard to resolving the economic crisis.