Gap between haves and have nots has widened:Ruwan

The gap between the rich and poor people in the country had widened despite the eight per cent economic growth that the country had achieved, UNP MP Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Speaking during the committee stage debate on the budget in Parliament yesterday, Mr. Wijewardene pointed out that 1.6 million families were living below the poverty line as per the Central Bank Report of 2012. This he pointed out meant that 6.2 million people in the country were living below the poverty line if it is assumed that the average Sri Lankan family consists of four family members. “This translates to a third of the total population being poor,” he said. “On the surface we see a considerable growth taking place in the coun- try with infrastructural improvements, highways, ports and airports all being constructed, but whether these infrastructure developments will bring in the necessary foreign investment is still to be seen,” he add- ed.

“While the super rich can drive around in Lamborghinis and participate in night races, middle income earners have been burdened by an increase in taxes on re-conditioned vehicles,” he added. Stating that the budget has allocated Rs 16.8 billion for Samurdhi beneficiaries and a further Rs 10 billion to the Samurdhi Authority to disburse this money for administration purposes, he said that one cannot accept that this money was being directed towards the people

that really needed it.