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Last Updated : 2024-04-23 20:04:00
13 November 2017 12:22 pm - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa today said only 358 out of 493 budget proposals made in 2016 had been fulfilled and that the Government should fulfill its promises given to the people.
In a series of tweets, Mr. Rajapaksa said, in 2016, Rs. 65 billion (35%) was spent from Rs. 203 billion allocated for the Education Sector, Rs. 13 billion (44%) was spent from Rs. 30 billion allocated for Megapolis Development and Rs. 996 million (62%) was spent from Rs. 1577 million allocated for Telecom.
“Some of the other promises of this Government that have gone unfulfilled from the 2016 budget proposals are Malabe Mahapola University, EXIM Bank, 7,000-seat Conference Hall in Colombo and the Keleni Valley Railway Line Development,” he said.
He said the Government was trying to mislead the public by reducing taxes on certain consumer goods immediately before the presentation of the Budget 2018.
“It is reducing taxes from the very goods on which it imposed higher taxes at previous budgets. While the Government is increasing revenue through heavy taxation on the public in the Budget 2018, the Government’s recurrent expenditure has increased by Rs. 868 billion, or 62%, compared to 2014. Is this how you reduce wastage?,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.
He said in order to achieve a per capita income of $5,000, as proposed in the Budget 2018, Sri Lanka’s GDP must be more than $106.5 billion.
“In 2017, it was $84.9 billion. That means the economy must grow 25%. How can that be achieved at the current growth rate of 4.5%? Sri Lanka’s budget deficit in 2018 is expected to be Rs. 675 billion. This is a significant increase from Rs. 591 billion in 2014,” he said.
As of December 2014, he said government debt was Rs. 7.4 trillion and by the end of 2018, the debt is expected to be more than Rs. 12 trillion, a 64% increase in four years.
“During my nine years as President of Sri Lanka with the war and subsequent development projects, the Government obtained a total of Rs. 5.2 trillion in loans. During the first four years, this Government plans to obtain Rs. 4.7 trillion in loans. That’s 90% of how much we obtained during nine years.
As a result of the reduction in global oil prices, the Government would have saved more than $5 billion during the past three years. If used responsibly, the Government could have paid off most of the debts that were there when it assumed office in 2015,” he said.
srilankan Monday, 13 November 2017 01:20 PM
The bottom line all are ali babas..... the previous government and officials made their money.... now the present is making theirs..... may be the next in line will also do the same...... The gullible voter is fooled by propogated leaders, carrots at the time of elections and life goes on.......
Ali Monday, 13 November 2017 01:29 PM
it takes a thief to catch a thief
M. Basnayake Monday, 13 November 2017 01:36 PM
I hope and pray that the people remember the terror of your rule and thrash you at the next election in order to put an end to you and your wicked ambitions.
senerath Monday, 13 November 2017 01:42 PM
budget did not include duty free bicycles for MP's
janesh Monday, 13 November 2017 01:43 PM
very well said.....how can you save....with BIGGEST MAFIA HORU....l
johan Monday, 13 November 2017 02:01 PM
In previous regime, the entire budget was handled by you,your brothers and sons and wife only.Atleast now independently they are trying to do best for the masses
Lankan Tuesday, 14 November 2017 09:46 AM
Well said
voter Monday, 13 November 2017 02:03 PM
There's no difference between him and the present govt when it comes to lying and stealing. The only difference is that at present you can openly criticize and accuse the present govt of its corruption but if you did that during MR's time then god bless that person.
Ram Monday, 13 November 2017 02:03 PM
MR Sir, Go back the memory lane to recall the details of the budgets you presented and how you hoodwinked the people
Bala Monday, 13 November 2017 02:21 PM
During the first four years, this Government plans to obtain Rs. 4.7 trillion in loans because you did ill planned development without returns by taking loans you left behind and becoming payable now only three years later. Trying to fool us again with wrong facts eh ?
Man of the match Monday, 13 November 2017 03:59 PM
Old thief speaks about new thieves. Wonderful!
ananda Monday, 13 November 2017 05:06 PM
You have no future in politics. we were living then as well when you were the President and the havoc you unleashed during your tenure. via DM Android App
Park Monday, 13 November 2017 05:21 PM
Shame full statement. Did he deliver everything he promised in the past when he was the King? No he is getting old his memory is fading. Go home.
Labby Monday, 13 November 2017 05:54 PM
Is he trying to play the Trump game? Why doesn't he say these things at the budget debate in parliament?
Sambo Tuesday, 14 November 2017 10:14 AM
Look who is talking. In his time everything was increased before the budget and then on the day of the budget gave a few carrots away.
D.E.M.O.Crazy Tuesday, 14 November 2017 01:29 PM
I can clearly remember during one of your budgets the only benefit you gave to the masses was reducing the tax of Lambhorgini.
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