Only Government Ministers’ personal economies growing claims UNP

The United National Party yesterday rejected claims by the Central Bank Governor that the Sri Lankan economy was robust, saying price hikes under the cover of night belied the proclamations.

UNP Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilake told a press briefing that the only economies that appeared to be robust and growing were the personal wealth of ruling politicians.

“When you hear the Central Bank Governor say that Sri Lanka does not need IMF funds because there is so much money in the Treasury, you begin to wonder which economy he is talking about,” Karunathilake quipped.

He said that the Government’s spate of midnight price hikes was an attempt to heap the burden of an economy in deep crisis on the people.

The UNP questioned the point of maintaining a jumbo Cabinet when they could do nothing to manage the economy. “If a Government is going to accept losses upon losses at a State enterprise and then just heap the consequences of that loss on the people, why does a country need a government?” Karunathilake queried.