The total amount borrowed by the Sri Lankan Government after the war ended in 2009 far exceeded the amount borrowed since gaining of independence to 2004, United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

He highlighted these facts at a ceremony held at the UNP headquarters, Sirikotha to mark the 46th anniversary of the Government Printing Services Union.

He said the total government debt during the past four years was Rs.4.8 trillion while Sri Lanka’s total borrowings from 1948 to 2005 were only Rs.1.5 trillion.

In another staggering disclosure, Mr. Wickremesinghe said the government debts between 2005 and 2013 amounted to Rs.6.8 trillion, but the amount spent on development projects was questionable.

Citing an example he said more than Rs.1 billion had been spent on constructing a kilometer of main roads. (Yohan Perera and Darshana Sanjeewa)