SL should start making plans to control its future debt services-PM

By Yohan Perera   

Sri Lanka should start making plans to control its future debt services once the current debt issue is settled, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday at Kuliyapitiya where he handed over buildings to 200 schools.   

He said the total external debt which Sri Lanka has to pay this year was US$6,200 million.   

“We have already made plans to settle these, but it is essential to plan the debt control services in the future,” he said. “Our government decided to look into education and health issues, while focusing on settling debts at the same time. The father of free education C.W.W. Kannangara constructed 30 school buildings in three years. Today we have handed over 200 school buildings in just one day. We might be criticized. They question us as to what we have done all these years. We have plenty to show with these projects being completed.”   
The Prime Minister said the government had launched 200 projects in a day unlike others who travel outstation once a month and uttering nonsense. 

“They say terrorism is raising its head under the present regime. The media is also criticizing us. We have to see whether the programmes in Kuliyapitiya will be shown on TV. It might rain if more publicity is given, however rain will not be bad after all as Kuliyapitiya is in the dry zone,” he said.   

He said the government would prepare for another leap forward, and that the details would be given in the budget. 

Quote -- Our government decided to look into education and health issues, while focusing on settling debts at the same time

He said the total external debt which Sri Lanka has to pay this year was US$6,200 million.   

“We have already made plans to settle these, but it is essential to plan the debt control services in the future,” he said. “Our government decided to look into education and health issues, while focusing on settling debts at the same time. The father of free education C.W.W. Kannangara constructed 30 school buildings in three years. Today we have handed over 200 school buildings in just one day. We might be criticized. They question us as to what we have done all these years. We have plenty to show with these projects being completed.”   

The Prime Minister said the government had launched 200 projects in a day unlike others who travel outstation once a month and uttering nonsense. 

“They say terrorism is raising its head under the present regime. The media is also criticizing us. We have to see whether the programmes in Kuliyapitiya will be shown on TV. It might rain if more publicity is given, however rain will not be bad after all as Kulwwiyapitiya is in the dry zone,” he said.   

He said the government would prepare for another leap forward, and that the details would be given in the budget.