Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has challenged the Government’s claim that a person could live on Rs 17,000 to Rs 18,000 a month, questioning the basis on which the figure had been calculated amid rising living costs and inflation.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Working Committee at the party headquarters yesterday (11), he said the claim was not supported by scientific data or a data-driven policymaking process.

He said recent fuel price increases had further pushed up the cost of living and inflation, worsening the economic difficulties faced by the public.

Premadasa also questioned whether a Budget was necessary to provide relief to the people if, as claimed, the Treasury was holding sufficient funds.

"Whether relief is provided through the Budget or not is a decision for the President. But, if the Treasury is full of money, we have to ask whether a Budget is needed at all to provide relief to the people," he said.

He further raised concerns over the departure of professionals, including doctors and engineers, saying the situation was placing the country at risk. He added that sections of the population ranging from schoolchildren to those dependent on the free healthcare system were becoming increasingly vulnerable.

Premadasa also accused the Government of violating the democratic rights of the public through various measures and criticised what he described as attempts to introduce laws to suppress the people under the guise of preventing organised crime and terrorism against the State.

He alleged that the Government was violating the fundamental and human rights of the people while also treating Buddhist clergy disrespectfully.

Referring to proposed legislation on terrorism, he said laws introduced in the past to protect the State against terrorism were intended to prevent such threats. However, he warned that giving the Executive the authority to determine who should be classified as a terrorist could have serious consequences.

He said international institutions and organisations had also raised concerns over such an approach, warning that it could lead the country towards an authoritarian, one-party system.