Mangala calls for Vote on Account

• Appeals to President Sirisena to resolve issues, believes possible to still reduce economic impact

UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera yesterday called on President Maithripala Sirisena to resolve the impasse in Parliament and allow a Vote on Account that could assist in reducing economic uncertainty by organising public finances for three months.

Highlighting the graveness of the anticipated economic crisis Sri Lanka is heading towards, MP Samaraweera said: “A legitimate government with an adequate majority in Parliament would have had the opportunity to present at least a Vote on Account, which should have covered the first three months of 2019, enabling payments of pensions, salaries, Samurdhi and the payment of settlement of debts. It is still not too late to re-establish the government which commands the majority in Parliament to present a Vote on Account to authorise the expenditure from the consolidated funds for the new year.”

Due to the Constitutional standoff, the Government that preceded 26 October was unable to bring in the scheduled Budget 2019 to allocate money for the coming year. Under such a scenario, MP Samaraweera fears the country’s financial situation will be pushed to a new low. 

“Our Government was to present Budget 2019 on 5 November. But nine days ahead of Budget day, the Sirisena-Rajapaksa coup led the country into an economic crisis. Our entire economy has started collapsing during the last three weeks where the exchange rate has gone over Rs. 180,” he said.

“There is no lawful government, prime minister, cabinet and minister of finance. The Speaker has refused to acknowledge the Government appointed by the President. The Parliament shall have full control of public finance. This grave situation have come about as there is no legitimate government to legally meet public expenditure and obligations from 2019. We have never experienced such a crisis,” added MP Samaraweera, who found fault with President Sirisena for the current situation. (AH)