We will amend IMF agreement – Dr. Harsha
SJB MP Dr. Harsha De Silva told Parliament yesterday that conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be changed by them.
A structural change should be made in the agreements signed with the International Monetary Fund. It can be done and we do it under our government. Measures will be taken to encourage our local entrepreneurs. Relief is provided by reducing the tax burden of the people.
We agree with the core of the Economic Transformation Act. But, we do not agree with certain things that have been agreed with the IMF. The economy must be reformed. Without that, it is impossible to recover from the economic crisis.
This government increased a liter of petrol from Rs.150 to Rs.400 paving the way to increase the state revenue. Other alternative groups say that when they come to power, they will give a liter of petrol at Rs.200. But, we don’t say that. What we are saying is that we are preparing a programme to credit Rs 200 to the bank account of a person according to the income category of the person after he or she pays Rs.400 per liter. Now, others will definitely copy this system. I requested to be Hanzard this before anyone is copying this. This system applies for the poor people according to their income and not for the rich people paying income tax.
The MP said that this country, which is burdened with foreign debt,should earn not rupees but dollars to pay those debts and accordingly, a programme will be set up to earn dollars through an export-oriented economy.
The MP said that the necessary support should be given to take the country towards development by further strengthening the economic growth rate achieved in the first quarter of 2024 while joining the adjournment debate.
We did not run away when former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country. When he discussed it with us we told him it was difficult to do anything because we did not really know the economic situation at that time since the government at that time did not give us the real facts and figures of the economic situation prevailing in the country.
Our goal is to distribute benefits among the people after applying new technology and improving business of local entrepreneurs to build the economy. We have a strong sense of nationality. All parties have today united around the Opposition leader. We are working to release the people from the burden of the high cost of living.
The government is planning to impose 18 percent VAT on food, and if not, please stand up and say no. Everyone tells us not to change the IMF agreement, but we do. We plan to earn dollars through an export oriented economy. The tax policies of this country will also be changed.
If an economic growth of 10 percent is achieved, Sri Lanka can become a developed country by 2046. If we continue the present way, we have to wait until 2075 to become a developed nation. The country will be developed through digital technology. The market is not always successful since many mafia implements including rice mafia.
We are starting the Shakti rice campaign again. We give farmers the energy they need. Don’t judge me by my clothes even though I am wearing a coat. We will become a strength for the farmer. There are lakhs of farmers engaged in agriculture. We provide them with the necessary facilities. Production from agriculture will be increased. We help the farmers by establishing agricultural warehouses related to each area and adding technology.
Dr.Harsha de Silva further said that it was present President Ranil Wickremesinghe who brought him into politics and he has no personal problem with him.
“Even at the Royal-Thomian match, we meet and drink a beer and sing a song. There is no problem with that.But there are problems in terms of policies and politics between us,”he said.
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