Dr. Harsha de Silva, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP and Chairman of the Public Finance Committee, stated that it is not possible to convert Sri Lanka’s primary deficit to a surplus within three years. He invited all members of Parliament to a three-day meeting this week to determine the extent of economic reforms the country could afford.
Dr. de Silva told a press conference, “The government must have negotiated with the IMF or another agency to convert the primary deficit into a surplus within three years, but this is impossible.”
This week, I have invited all members of Parliament to a three-day meeting of the Finance Committee. On the first day, we will cover state revenues, on the second day, state expenditures, and on the third day, how to address the budget imbalance. Government had pledged to turn Sri Lanka’s current negative primary deficit into a positive figure within three years.
However, this cannot be done. One must have reached an agreement with the IMF or another agency to eliminate the primary deficit within three years. However, this cannot be done. We inside the SJB support economic reforms. However, there should be a limit to the number of possible reforms. If the government proceeds with reforms through coercion, economic and social turmoil will worsen. I have thus requested that all members of Parliament to attend the three-day meeting of the public finance committee to consider this matter. I expect that at least thirty members of Congress will come,” Dr. de Silva remarked.
Also, Dr. de Silva stated that he will bring the report of the auditor general on coal power sales to Parliament on Tuesday.
