Saturday Dec 28, 2024
Saturday Dec 28, 2024
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SJB Colombo district candidate Eran Wickramaratne
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Colombo district candidate Eran Wickramaratne has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to extend the suspension of parate executions beyond the current deadline of 15 December.
Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, Wickramaratne stressed that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy and deserve continued support during difficult times.
“The country’s bankruptcy was a result of flawed economic policies under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration. This collapse was not the fault of SMEs, which contribute significantly to the gross domestic product, but rather due to the decisions of the ruling authorities at the time and international pressures,” Wickramaratne stated.
He pointed out the economic repercussions of Rajapaksa’s policies, including tax cuts that led to national bankruptcy, 100% inflation in commodity prices, and a 70% increase in general inflation. As inflation soared, banks raised interest rates on business loans, putting SMEs at risk of failure. In many instances, this forced entrepreneurs to sell assets to repay debts.
“While the parate law does provide businesses with access to loans, enforcing it when external factors have caused business failures poses serious risks,” he cautioned.
Wickramaratne highlighted that the SJB has consistently championed the relaxation of the parate law to protect entrepreneurs from undue hardships.
While the Government, under President Ranil Wickremesinghe, had initially postponed the law’s implementation until December, Wickramaratne called on President Dissanayake to extend this suspension to alleviate economic uncertainty, support SMEs, and promote economic stability.
Turning to the upcoming General Election, Wickramaratne underlined the importance of electing Parliamentary candidates with substantial experience. He welcomed new faces in Parliament but stressed that they should have practical expertise beyond political backgrounds.
“The Parliament needs individuals with real-world experience – people with professional backgrounds or higher education – not just those who have only engaged in politics. Without such experience, the Parliament’s effectiveness suffers, impacting the future of the country,” he said.
Wickramaratne also highlighted the need for an independent public service, free from political influence. He warned against appointing public servants based solely on political loyalty and advocated for a merit-based system to ensure capable individuals are promoted.
“Politicising the public service to fulfil certain agendas undermines its integrity. An independent public service is vital for the country’s progress,” he concluded.
