The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has requested the President and the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies, Ranil Wickremesinghe to allocate funds for Parliamentarians to conduct development projects in their districts, which have not been allocated for two years, through the upcoming Budget for 2024.

It was reported early this week that Wickremesinghe and SLPP National Organiser and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa had discussed the importance of the provision of certain relief measures for people in the upcoming Budget.

When contacted by The Daily Morning to inquire about the meeting between the duo, the SLPP General Secretary and Government Parliamentarian, attorney Sagara Kariyawasam said that it was a usual practice for Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa to meet once every two weeks, or once a month. "They usually meet and hold discussions. None of us attend those meetings so we are not aware of their outcome. However, if there is any important matter that has been discussed by them, we are informed of such."

The Daily Morning then queried him as to whether the SLPP, as a Party, had made any proposals to the President regarding the upcoming Budget, to which he said that they had made several proposals. "We have made several proposals. Of them, our request to allocate funds for MPs to carry out projects in their districts is one such suggestion that is important. With the economic crisis, those funds have not been allocated for two years. It greatly affects the MPs' popularity in the respective areas. So, we hope that the President will consider our request."

With the country being hit by the most serious economic crisis that it had ever experienced, the Government took several steps to strengthen the country's economy, particularly foreign currency reserves, such as through the reduction of Government expenditure, the suspension of development projects including large scale constructions, and the suspension of certain privileges granted to politicians including Ministers and MPs, and government officials.