‘Allocate funding for essential projects’

• Catholic Bishops urge Govt.

BY Buddhika Samaraweera

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL) has urged the Government to prioritise and allocate funds to the most vital projects, in the wake of the country’s Covid-19-induced economic crisis, instead of projects implemented in the hope of gaining political mileage. In a press release issued recently, the CBCSL also stated that the country’s leadership should act on expert advice, and not on political and personal agendas.

“The economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has left the entire country helpless, and the high unemployment rate inevitably leads to poverty, malnutrition, and famine. Therefore, the Government should have its priorities straight, and allocate funds only for the most needed projects,” it added.

The CBCSL also called on the Government to reopen schools and other educational institutions as soon as possible, even though they have been closed for the safety of students due to the prevailing situation. Then, children will not only be able to learn subjects but also be able to maintain their mental and spiritual health, the release issued by the CBCSL read.

Meanwhile, commenting on the ongoing teachers’ and principals’ trade union action demanding a solution to the teacher-principal salary anomaly issue, the CBCSL requested the Government to intervene flexibly to resolve the long-term salary anomalies of teachers and principals, while also calling on the teachers to consider calling off the strike, which is affecting students.

“Our country is in a serious crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic. If the Government does not act wisely, regardless of socio-political and ethnic differences, it could have lasting and detrimental effects,” it also stated.