Budget more like concept paper: Anura Priyadarshana

The budget presented by Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was similar to a concept paper than a budget as the government has failed to explain the gravity of the economic crisis, Parliamentarian Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said today.

He questioned as to how the econony could be revived based only on concepts.

Speaking during the second reading debate of the budget, the MP told Parliament that some concepts are expected to be achieved by 2025 and some others even beyond.

He said the country had become bankrupt as economic decisions have been taken without proper supervision over the years.

He said people had to face various issues due to abrupt decision to ban chemical fertilizer.

"Prices of goods have gone up astronomically where most families cannot afford it. Some 800,000 MT of rice have been imported into the country. Local farmers have faced issue to find market for their produce," he said. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)