Sajith calls on Govt. to halt Parate executions; provide relief to SMEs

Saturday, 30 July 2022 01:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, says the current economic policy of the Government comes at the expense of the small and medium businesses, and millions of livelihoods are impacted due to draconian measures pursued by the present administration.

Premadasa noted that over 4.5 million people were directly employed by the SME sector, contributing to over 50% of GDP, and the impacts would be felt far and wide throughout the country. The Opposition Leader demanded the Government to stop Parate executions and provide relief to the SME sector.

Premadasa said many entrepreneurs are today at the mercy of banks and lending institutions, as there isn’t enough or no revenue to service the facilities they had obtained. He added many people have been driven to despair and that it is grossly unfair that such draconian measures are not pursued with large businesses, politicians and the super-rich. He pointed out that large sums of debt have been written off for these segments whilst SMEs must struggle for survival.

The Government must immediately consider providing relief to the SME sector, Premadasa stated, and put a hold to Parate executions. He added Sri Lanka must pursue democratic socio-economic policies and not resort to neo-liberal policies determined entirely by demand and supply.

He called on the Government to think on the side of the people, and consider offering relief and opportunity strengthen SMEs and put a stop to Parate executions empowered by dubious circulars. Premadasa was speaking after a meeting with a group of small and medium businessmen in Colombo yesterday.

The discussion was joined by SJB MP S.M. Marikkar, who remarked the current and previous Government have misled the SME sector promising relief from the time of the pandemic, but pursuing oppressive policies instead. Marikkar stated the Central Bank must intervene and remove grossly high penalties imposed on those who obtained debt moratoriums during the pandemic.