• Urges Govt. to initiate/strengthen econ. reforms

Noting that the available statistics indicate that there is a risk of Sri Lanka’s poverty increasing, the main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) urged the Government to initiate and strengthen economic reforms to prevent such an eventuality.

This was stated by SJB Parliamentarian Jagath Vithana during a media briefing held yesterday (22).

“The World Bank has released a report on Sri Lanka on 7 October. According to the report, the country's economy has not been properly restored. The report also states that if economic reforms are not made, poverty in the country will increase and job security will be lost. Also, according to this report, the number of people in poverty in Sri Lanka is 22%. The report also states that the number of people living below the poverty line is 10%. The bank says that if the economy is not stabilised, this group may also join the poor population of Sri Lanka.”

In addition, he said that as per the National Consumer Price Index released by the Department of Census and Statistics, inflation has increased last month (in September). He added that the overall inflation has increased by 1.5% in August and by 2.1% in September, while food inflation has increased by 2.9% in August and by 3.8% in September.

“Looking at these statistics, it is clear that Sri Lanka is in a vulnerable position,” he warned, adding that continuing to take loans is a major factor that is worsening this situation, and that the Government should stop taking loans in an unsustainable manner.