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JVP slams 2022 Budget once more

16 Nov 2021

Speaking at a press conference held by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Party member Sunil Handunnetti said that the Budget which was presented by the Minister of Finance was well explained by a cartoon which was published by the media.  "The budget which was proposed by the Finance Minister is well portrayed by a cartoon which was published by the media. The cartoon shows the 2022 budget going in one direction, whereas the problems of the people are headed down another road. This is the state of the country we are in now. The budget has not addressed the problems faced by the country and the people. When Basil Rajapaksa started his speech, he spoke big about his family and their accomplishments, whereas the budget which he has compiled has not included the solutions for the people of the country," said Handunnetti. He went on to say that there are large queues of people waiting for gas, milk powder, rations and fuel, and that fertiliser remains the main issue in hand.  "We can see long queues of people lining up for gas, fuel and milk powder. Let's not talk about the lack of fertiliser. The budget has not even touched upon these essentials which are needed by the people," he said.  Handunnetti then explained how the budget has been compiled without even basic calculations done.  "In any budget, there are basic calculations. There is a revenue, which is the income. And then there is the expenditure. The revenue which the Finance Minister stated was Rs 222,100 billion, whereas the expenditure shows as Rs 524,500 billion. This means we are spending more than we can afford. How can this happen? Basil Rajapaksa has calculated Rs 153,100 billion for loan repayments, and Rs 320,000 for loans which he expects to take. Which country in their right mind will lend to Sri Lanka now?," he questioned.  The JVP lawmaker then spoke about the shortage of rice in the market, which would very soon lead to a point where Sri Lanka will not have enough supply to meet the demands.  "Very soon we will see a rice shortage in the market. The relevant Ministers and the Government will say that they will import. But to import also, money is needed. We do not have any dollars to pay for the imports and that is a well known fact," he stated. Additionally, Handunnetti mentioned how the people of Sri Lanka are suffering without money to meet their basic needs.  "Tailors do not have money as no one is stepping outside to buy clothes. People do not have money to pay and take back their repaired electrical goods. Salons are forced to shut down. The youth of Sri Lanka are driven to a point where they would rather stay in long queues to leave the country than use their talents in Sri Lanka. Talented and educated people are leaving the country because no matter how much ever they earn, it will never be enough," said Handunnetti.  Handunnetti also questioned the Government's plan of bringing in revenue to the country, which was not mentioned in the budget.  "Companies are taxed heavily. Products are taxed at the point of sale, and then the companies are taxed again based on turnover. This means, company owners will have to add a large tax to the total price, and the consumer is then taxed heavily. This means, people will not be able to afford even the basic necessities anymore. Several taxes will be placed on just one item. Due to this, businessmen will leave the country, leaving Sri Lanka with no scope of business opportunities or foreign exchange," he said. Further, Handunnetti added that the budget which was proposed had driven people to the point of committing crimes with illegal sale of items.  "People are now pushed to the extent where they are considering dealing with the Black Market. This means that people will now be exposed to illegal dealings and the crime rate will increase so as to evade heavy taxes. This includes vehicles and spare parts as well. With vehicle imports being halted, the price of the existing vehicles are exorbitant and there are no spare parts for those who already own vehicles," Handunnetti stated.  During his speech, Handunnetti touched upon the pressing concern in the country at the moment, which is foreign exchange.  He said that no solution was mentioned in the 2022 budget for foreign exchange, which will now have the rolling effect where many industries will be affected and in all cause big losses to Sri Lanka.  "With the lack of foreign exchange, we do not have dollars. This means, no fertiliser for the tea industry. Sri Lanka is one of the world's largest tea exporters, yet very soon this will also come to a halt. Another industry will crash because of this. Coconuts and spices will follow," he stated.  He mentioned the closure of the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, where Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpilla has said that it was only closed for repairs, whereas the whole nation is aware that Sri Lanka does not have adequate funds to purchase crude oil. Handunnetti projected that by December, Sri Lanka will see a shortage in fuel to a point that the electricity supply will also come to a stand-still and the entire country would be in darkness.  Quoting the Finance Minister's statement where he mentions that the public service has become a burden, Handunnetti questions the Finance Minister of his audacity to make such remarks. "How can the Finance Minister make such remarks? At the peak of the pandemic, was it not the government sector doctors, nurses and other employees who worked tirelessly to save the country? Was it not the public services employees that ran errands for this Minister and his family when they contested for the elections? How does he even have the strength and audacity to make such statements. This is exactly how the Rajapaksa family discards the people who have worked to bring them to power," Handunnetti remarked.   Meanwhile, Handunnetti questioned the reason as to why the retirement age of Members of Parliament has been increased, the reason why the pension period has been extended and why MPs are paid for healthcare from the President's fund when they already have health insurance and a pension.  "The Budget for 2022 is nothing more than a cartoon, and this is clearly evident to the people now. The Rajapaksa family and their associates are thieves and this must stop," he concluded.


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