Prevailing atmosphere not conducive for an election: Minister

Next budget would be the most people’s friendly budget in the recent past Government has given priority to save people from the pandemic and overcome challenges to the economy

Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Janaka Bandara Thennakoon said although the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa is in a hurry to hold the Provincial Council election he should understand that the prevailing atmosphere would not allow the holding of an election.

Addressing a gathering at the ceremony to open the two-storeyed trade complex opposite the Dambulla bus stand and the access road he pointed out that the country was facing a crisis affecting all sectors due to the CORONA pandemic which was a global disaster and that the government had given priority to save the people from the pandemic and to overcome the challenge to the country’s economy.

He pointed out that the Leader of the Opposition should realise this situation.

The minister said the next budget would be the most people’s friendly budget in the recent past and that the relief provided to the people would be surprising. He said he was not in a position to reveal any budget secrets, but the people would not face hardship due to the scarcity of consumer goods after the budget.

He further said that the people were not satisfied with the public service and that he was taking steps to bring about a series of changes to create an efficient public service.