Only prices of cosmetics have risen
Less for essential commodities, gas, fuel and utilities
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday only prices of cosmetics, fragrances, toothpaste and luxury goods have increased while the prices of essential commodities such as food items, gas, fuel, and utility bills were still lower than what the consumers paid in 2014.
He said the currencies of most of the countries in Asia,africa and Latin America using the US dollar for international trade have depreciated and not restricted only to Sri Lanka.
“Even the Indian rupee has depreciated sharply against the dollar with this trend likely to continue further,” the minister said. He said tomorrow’s ‘Janabalaya Kolombata’ anti-government protest organized by the joint opposition would have little or no affect on the government other that it being a public hindrance. “No one can topple a democratically elected government through protests, trade union action, anti government rallies or violence. Only students, office workers and patients coming to hospital will be severely affected from these meaningless activities by bankrupt politicians.the people will respond to the JO at the right time,” the minister said. He said the yahapalanaya government inherited a huge debt burden in 2015 but by now the government had been able to reduce it to manageable levels.
“Despite various challenges and obstacles the government has reduced the prices of all the essential commodities and utility services. Salaries of public servants has been increased by Rs.10,000 and pensions by Rs.3,500.that is why the costof-living is still low.the government has also launched a massive development drive covering infrastructure, industry, tourism, agriculture, power and transport. People will reap the benefits in the next couple of years,” the minister said.
He said the JO was dreaming of toppling this government since the day it took office and claimed it would form its own government before the next Poya Day, it became the next New Year’s day, then before the next budget but nothing happened though the government remained strong.“this government will conduct PC elections no sooner the bottlenecks were removed and not a day longer than it is necessary,” the minister said.
He said though the country’s agricultural sector suffered a huge setback because of the long-drawn drought, this government did not allow a single family to go hungry and underscored the fact that Rs.38 billion, the biggest in history was paid as compensation to farmer families for crop failure.