SJB claims economic stability post-Aragalaya anniversary as temporary

Monday, 10 July 2023 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva

MP Dr. Harsha de Silva says for economic stability to be sustainable there must be political stability
Opines President Ranil Wickremesinghe-Govt. has no mandate for its actions
Alleges economic murderers still playing with public funds
Insists DDR not fair to focus only on EPF
Charges former President Gotabaya living in luxury off public funds
Ridicules Wickremesinghe for appointing same people who destroyed economy to identify those responsible for bankruptcy

By Darshana Abayasingha

On the first anniversary of the people’s successful uprising the Main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday unleashed a scathing attack on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his MPs.

“Yes, there are no queues for fuel and gas at present, and there is some degree of economic stability that we admit, but it is temporary. Because, for economic stability to be sustainable there must be political stability, and for that there must be a Parliament with a mandate. Does this Government have a mandate from the people anymore? It doesn’t,” de Silva stated.

de Silva also noted it is laughable that the same people who destroyed the country’s economy have appointed a committee to investigate who bankrupted the nation.

“Doesn’t President Wickremasinghe know what he is doing; he is the person making these appointments,” the SJB MP lamented.

He noted there are reports family members of SLPP members are to receive additional new positions and perks, and questioned how persons responsible for the economic mess can afford to live and thrive off public funds, at a time the people of the country are made to suffer.

Commenting on the Domestic Debt Restructure (DDR) framework, de Silva added that the Government had crossed the line when it targeted only the EPF for the process, and remarked it was grossly unfair to target only the hard earned savings of people for their retirement.

Pointing to media reports that some Central Bank and Finance Ministry officials had termed critics of the program as ‘psychologically bankrupt’, Dr. de Silva asked how they could afford to term anyone of group raising valid questions on fairness as bankrupt, when there is an evident negative impact to the EPF.

de Silva noted the proposal recommends a return of 9% to members, and said the Opposition hopes to bring in necessary amendments through Parliament to ensure EPF members receive this return.

He added the EPF has till 25 July to respond to the proposals, and remarked he hopes the fund would consider seeking public opinion – its membership – before accepting the terms.

“They must consider whose funds these are. It’s the people’s money,” de Silva said, adding the proposal with respect to the EPF fund for DDR did not come from the IMF and it was entirely a local plan.