By The Pulseline News Desk
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has urged the Government to immediately table in Parliament the Treasury’s report concerning an alleged loss of $ 2.5 million, warning that conflicting statements from key economic institutions are creating uncertainty in the country’s policy direction.
Premadasa told parliament on Tuesday (9) that discrepancies between statements issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Treasury have raised serious concerns about the coherence and credibility of Sri Lanka’s economic management.
He emphasised that at a time when the country is navigating a fragile economic recovery, fiscal and monetary policies must be implemented with clarity, consistency, and coordination. Any contradiction between institutions responsible for economic governance, he argued, risks undermining public confidence and investor trust.
The Opposition Leader also called on the government to present a comprehensive framework outlining its fiscal and monetary policy strategy. This, he said, should include details of the policy instruments currently being employed, the objectives they are intended to achieve, and the institutions responsible for their implementation.
Premadasa further demanded greater transparency regarding Sri Lanka’s engagements with international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He sought clarification on how agreements with these organizations have influenced domestic policy decisions and how such commitments align with key economic targets, including revenue generation and primary balance objectives.
Turning to the impact of economic policies on ordinary citizens, Premadasa questioned the Government’s assertion that Rs. 17,000 is sufficient for an individual to meet living expenses for an entire month. He challenged the practicality of such a figure, asking whether it could realistically cover both food and non-food necessities amid the rising cost of living.
He also pressed the Government to explain what measures have been introduced to alleviate the financial pressures faced by the middle class, professionals, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), farmers, fishermen, and low-income earners.
According to Premadasa, these groups continue to struggle under the weight of higher taxes, constrained public expenditure, and elevated interest rates, making targeted relief measures essential.
Concluding his remarks, the Opposition Leader stressed the importance of strengthening parliamentary oversight and public accountability in the formulation and implementation of fiscal and monetary policies, arguing that greater transparency is critical to ensuring economic stability and public confidence.
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