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Sunday Sep 08, 2024
Wednesday, 3 April 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa charged the Government for misleading the public with wrong statistics and information especially on foreign investment and economic development.
Joining the Committee Stage Debate on Budget 2019, Rajapaksa held the Government has failed to attract the anticipated foreign investments despite its pledges made since 2015.
“The economic gurus in this Government have failed to perform regardless of their high boasting in the beginning. The Government is misleading the public by false statements that it has attracted foreign investments worth billions of dollars into the country during the last four years. Contrary to the Government claims, it has not been able to attract foreign investments worth $20 million,” he charged.
Comparing the economic growth, Rajapaksa highlighted the disparity between the Government statements and the data obtained from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). “When this Government requested a mandate, attracting investments worth billions of dollars were promised. They predicted a growth rate of 8%. But according to the CBSL, the growth rate has remained between 3.1% - 3.2% throughout. So, what took place was different from what was promised,” he added.
According to Rajapaksa, the investor selected for the Hambantota cement factory was here in the country during the Rajapaksa government and he was branded by United National Party for trying to invest black money as part of a conspiracy.
“They accused him of having black money of the Rajapaksa’s. They took him to the FCID and CID. News stories were everywhere claiming a hotel belonging to Namal Rajapaksa in Dubai worth $18 billion. The investor should have been cleared from all charges to continue with his investment. If that is the case the Government should make an official statement,” he added. (AH)
