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Sri Lanka cannot afford lockdowns : Cabraal 

30 Aug 2021

  • Points at consequences of halted economic activities 
Sri Lanka cannot continue in a lockdown at this juncture due to the fact that half of the population of the island would not be able to bear the consequences of the halted economic activities, stated the State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal.  He made this statement on his Twitter account on Saturday (28) explaining that the country needs to continue to be open and functioning despite the strict health restrictions when the Government announced on Friday (27) the extension of the Covid-19 quarantine curfew till Monday (6 September).  He further stated: “4.5 million in SME will be driven to despair: Macro fundamentals will be seriously compromised” indicating that out of the 21.8 million population, 4.5 million Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) would be gravely affected.  He added the economic damage would be widespread and lockdown does not need to be in effect except for the health restrictions.  However, The Morning reported that the World Health Organisation (WHO) backed study has warned that on the grounds of the absence of a nationwide lockdown, it would drive towards an eventual Covid-19 death toll in the country of 16,700.  It further said: “A 10-day lockdown ending on 30 August, followed by a gradual relaxation, would cost the economy $ 1.12 billion, or 1.3% of GDP; a four-week lockdown ending on 18 September would cost the economy $ 1.67 billion, or 1.9% of GDP; and a six-week lockdown ending on 2 October would cost the economy $ 2.22 billion, or 2.5% of GDP.”

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