Govt. mulls including Rs. 367 b in next Budget

• Slams Opposition for failing to support amendment to VOA

The Government yesterday expressed confidence that the Rs. 367 billion sought through an amendment to the Vote on Account would be added to the next Budget post-General Elections, with an official denying there was an economic crisis. 

Minister Shehan Semasinghe

Speaking to reporters at the Finance Ministry, Development Banking and Loan Schemes State Minister Shehan Semasinghe expressed disappointment at the Opposition for failing to support the Government’s move to raise the Rs. 367 billion which it said was to meet outstanding payments in 2019. 

“We are disappointed that the Opposition is not honouring their claim of support. They don’t even want to pay their own bills in 2019,” he said, explaining that the Rs. 367 billion was needed to recompense outstanding payments of the previous Government.  

Semasinghe reiterated that there was no economic crisis in Sri Lanka and that the Government was prepared to make outstanding payment to contractors. 

“As a Government we have to honour the payments of the previous Government,” he said, charging that the previous Government demonstrated poor financial management.

He criticised the Opposition leader for failing to honour the commitment he made to support the Government. 

“Sajith Premadasa has proven himself to be a leader who does not do what he says,” he stated, adding that many of the outstanding payments were for projects like ‘The nearest school is the best school’ initiative.