Govt. income insufficient to service loans and interest accrued

Minister of Passenger Transport Management, Power and Energy Mahinda Amaraweera said that the government’s revenue was insufficient to settle the loan instalments with interest accrued for the next year and therefore, all will be compelled to bear the burden.

Minister Amaraweera said so yesterday (24) at his home in Angunakolapelessa addressing a Tangalle electoral organisation meeting.

He added, “I understood the risk faced by the people in this country. The people would have had to beg or starve to death if the past system continued. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa have to face that challenge. The state revenue will not be enough to pay loan instalments and interest due next year. How can we rule the country? This is what we have to think now. Samurdhi beneficiaries have been increased to 600,000 people. A large number of employees have been absorbed into government service. These things cannot be stopped although the government has changed. Election promises have to be fulfilled. Everybody will have to bear with all these difficulties. At least, it is better to cultivate your home garden until such time that a government job is received. Let us strengthen local production! If we can stop the import of chillies from foreign countries, we can build two harbours and three airports.”

According to him, the people in this country had not used their votes in the hope of getting a bag of commodities, but thinking of the country. If the country was won with the votes based on Sinhala Buddhist culture, it was the opportunity that they got on November 16. Some people have worshipped the ballot box after casting their votes.

He said that some people obtained cement and housing loans but they have used their votes for rebuilding the country. The victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa was based on that confidence. The president has the full powers to take direct decisions. In the past, the president and the government were controlled by the wishes of the extremists. The new president will act independently without being subject to the pressures of any extremist, the minister concluded.

I understood the risk faced by the people in this country. The people would have had to beg or starve to death if the past system continued. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa have to face that challenge