It’s not possible to appease all protestors through Budget proposals: President

• Calls threat by UNP backbenchers ‘just banter’ 
• Says the current economic crisis prevents Govt. from catering to all demands 
• Invites all parties to join hands putting aside political differences to help country through crisis
• Invites anyone capable to draw up new economic strategy to get through crisis 
  
   

Despite the United National Party threatening to defeat the Vote on Allocations for his office, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday defended the Finance Minister’s Budget proposals, saying it was not possible to address all the demands, as the country is facing severe economic crisis. 

Making light of the threat made by UNP backbenchers, calling it ‘banter’, President Sirisena spoke in a very guarded tone about the Budget presented by Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Wednesday, noting that the Government is unable to address all demands made by different groups, as the country is going through a severe economic downturn.  

“In this current economic crisis, there is no way people can be appeased through proposals in the Budget. The people making demands can’t be satisfied either, Mangala Samaraweera has planned to increase the salaries of the Government servants only from midyear, and if he could have done it earlier he would have given this from January, or from this month. It’s because such increases are difficult that he has proposed to implement it from the middle of the year. So I will not criticise the Budget nor will I say it is a good Budget,” the President said, speaking during his meeting with heads of media institutions. 

Noting the further negative impact protests and demonstrations would have on the already struggling economy, Sirisena casted doubt on the country’s ability to meet all demands, despite action by trade unions and other actors.  

“But as I see it, if anyone understands the current economic crisis in the country, even State sector employees should really think how much of these demands can be met, this is a real issue. All of us have to understand this. And carrying out demonstrations, strikes, protests, marches, demanding allowances and facilities, will only further weaken the economy of the country,” he said. 

“There was a strike by Government clerks recently, there are about 83,000 in the service. When 83,000 clerks don’t work for a day, the impact is on the service delivered to the people and the country’s economy.”

Sirisena also extended an open invitation to all politicians to work together to overcome the current economic crisis, setting aside political differences. 

“This is a year for elections, a Presidential Election is due at the end of the year, and there may be a Parliamentary Election due to the instability in the Parliament. There should be a strong Parliament to govern for whatever the party is in Government. When there is no majority in a Government, they have to work hard to retain all their members, and that means all their demands have to be granted, and this is not good for the country and its economy. So I think everyone should be committed to help the country through the difficult economic times at present.”

Sirisena also called on intellectual groups or individuals able to devise a proper strategy to deal with the economic crisis to come forward.

“I invite anyone who can give a strategy to address the current economic crisis and give a good Budget to do so. Give a strategy to see the country through the current economic crisis along with a Budget proposal, that is what is important,” he said, stressing that good strategy is the need of the time. 

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