2014 Budget ignores migrant workers but lavish on pet food – Ranjan Ramanayake
Saturday, 30 November 2013 08:28
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UNP MP and famous actor Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday lamented in Parliament that the 2014 Budget was silent on the important migrant workers’ welfare but lavish on pet food.
Amidst noise in Parliament, he said Budget 2014 undermined the heavy toil and the earnings of the migrant workers but gave priority to cats and dogs in Sri Lanka by affording tax reduction on imported pet food.
“In budget 2013 President labeled the migrant workers as ‘rata viruwo,’ over 1.8 million in numbers. They remit US$6 billion annually and Government expects to increase it to US$10 billion. But in Budget 2014 there isn’t a single word mentioned about these migrant workers who bring the highest earning for Sri Lanka. "
"But the Government (via 2014 Budget) spoke about pet food more than migrant workers. Pet food prices are reduced in Budget 2014. Recently a wedding ceremony was held for dogs, and also a flight was sent to Zurich to bring down a dog. But the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare is given a 0.03% allocation from the Budget. We should be grateful to our migrant workers than the cats and the dogs,” charged MP Ramanayake despite continuous interruptions from the Government members.
Praising UPFA Member of Parliament Dr. Mrs. Sudarshini Fernandopulle for urging the Government to reduce the taxes on essential food items Ramanayake said: “In this Parliament only MP Dr. Mrs. Sudhashini Fernandopulle had the backbone to call for a reduction in the prices of essential foods. Since she stood against this Budget she too will be taken up. I praise her for standing up identifying the failings in the Budget.” (AH)
