Ravi K in Wilachchiya to collect views for Budget 2017

In an effort to understand the “real life” situations of rural farming communities Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake was in Wilachchiya recently as he believes the ground situation could not be understood by “issuing recommendations and other documents from Colombo.” 

The Minister expressed his views during a meeting with the farming community of Kokkichchiya in Wilachchiya, a media statement released by his ministry said.  

This inaugural meeting with the farming community of Kokkichchiya was held under a series of programs organised by the Ministry of Finance to discuss the existing problems of businessmen and farmers in rural provinces. On the guidance of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, steps were taken to compile public proposals for the Budget 2017 on the sidelines of these meetings.

During his interaction with the residents of Wilachchiya the Minister drew his attention to the perennial problems faced by the rural farmers and business community of the area. 

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in conversation with villagers in Wilachchiya

The participating farmers and businessmen in Wilachchiya recounted their recurrent livelihood problems including issues relating to fertiliser, agricultural implements, irrigation and irrigation tanks to the visiting minister.

Following the discussion with the rural community of Kokkichchiya in Wilachchiya, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake expressed his views to the media in this manner: “We travelled throughout the island and collected views from about 1,534 organisations before we prepared Budget 2016. Budget 2016 was prepared accordingly. We hope to collect public ideas in the same manner before we prepare Budget 2017 too. The meeting with the rural community in Kokkichchiya of Wilachchiya created us a good initial background towards this effort. We should always go to the people in order to find pragmatic solutions to their problems. We cannot measure the real life conditions of the people by reading recommendations and other documents sent from Colombo.

“A list of problems was presented during this discussion. Money is required to settle all these problems. In addition, we need huge sum of money to repay the accumulated debt in the past as well. If there is no income avenue to repay such huge debt, we should create them.”

“Development is fast taking place in every part of the country today. But it is not limited to Hambantota or any other selected area as in the past. Only a short period of time has elapsed since we took over a sluggish economy. Give us opportunity to put this country on the right path.”

Many people’s complaints revolved around the pending increase of VAT, which is likely to drive up the cost of living, especially among the poorer rural classes.   

“All talk about the VAT. Why was this government compelled to increase VAT? The government’s income is insufficient to repay the current debt. There are ample opportunities to start new projects. The government will not be annoyed by displaying placards and shutting down shops. People will maintain such misconceptions as long as they do not realise the ground reality of the economy. It is apparent that there are only narrow political elements operating behind those placards.”

“Money is required to build the country. Tax has to be imposed to earn money for that purpose. As a responsible government, we will prevent exploiting tax revenue and, in return, will use such tax money for the benefit of the people”, Minister Karunanayake added.

Rural Economic Affairs Minister P. Harrison, Provincial Councilor Kasthuri Anuradhanayake, Development Finance Department Director General A.M.P.M.B. Athapattu, several officials attached to the Ministry of Finance and a large gathering of residents of Wilachchiya also participated in the meeting.