THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS WILL BE THE MOST DIFFICULT OF OUR LIVES, PM INFORMS THE NATION

P rime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his maiden televised address to the nation, presented a gloomy picture of the economy and said the next couple of months will be the most difficult in people’s lives. He said,” We must prepare ourselves to make some sacrifices and face the challenges of this period.”

● Although the projected revenue earlier stood at SLR 2.3 trillion, SLR 1.6 trillion is the realistic revenue.

● The total government expenditure is SLR 4 trillion

● Though the approved debt ceiling is SLR 3200 billion, the country had spent 1950 billion

● To ease the queues, we must obtain approximately USD 75 million within the next few days.

● Possibility that the daily power outages will increase to 15 hours a day. However, we have already obtained money to avert this crisis.

● Sri Lanka must also immediately obtain USD 20 million to provide gas to consumers

● The payment owed to the medicine and medical equipment suppliers amounts to SLR 34 billion

● There is a severe shortage of a number of medicines including medicine for heart disease.

● It has been planned to present a new budget.

● Srilankan Airlines has to be privatised as it is a burden to the state

● Next couple of months will be the most difficult ones in the lives of all citizens and the country

● Due to the diesel shipment that arrived yesterday, the diesel shortage will be resolved to some extent.

● Under the Indian credit line, two more diesel shipments are due to arrive on the 18th May and 1st June.

● Two petrol shipments are expected on 18th and 29th May.

● We must also immediately obtain USD 20 million to provide gas to consumers.

● The situation of kerosene and furnace oil is even more urgent.

● We must immediately establish a national assembly or political body with the participation of all political parties to find solutions for the present crisis

● My goal and dedication is not to save an individual, a family, or a party

● Against my own wishes, I am compelled to permit printing money in order to pay state-sector employees