PM says social safety net will be strengthened

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena says that the Government will take measures to strengthen the social safety net in the coming months.

In a meeting held at Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Urban Council on 15/12/2022 with the participation of public representatives from the party and the opposition, the Prime Minister mentioned that a firm pledge has already been given by international financial institutions to support the strengthening of the social safety net.

“In spite of many difficulties the Government acted in the budget to maintain the facilities of the social security circle without reducing it. In the past, the common feature was the reduction of income generating means. 

“Loss of employment, inability to implement plans for investment and lack of interest in it, stalling of development activities in the construction sector affected this situation and in the financial and economic downturn we have faced in the past months, the Government has to transform not only the local authorities but the whole country into a common approach.”

Accordingly, financial investments were placed under strict control. The result was that the means of income of many institutions were blocked. Sometimes, the income they generate was limited to be used for development purposes only. Thus the Government as well as departments, corporations and local authorities have been affected.

The Prime Minister further stated that the Government expected to ease the situation in the coming month of January and the Government including the President had already taken several decisions in this regard. 

“I believe that the local Government institutions would also be able to get rid of many of the obstacles to carry out their functions smoothly,” he said.

Mayor of Dehiwala Navalage Stanley Dias, Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Opposition Leader Sunetra Ranasinghe, Deputy Mayor Keerthi Udawatta and members of municipal council and Government officials participated in the event.