Harsha’s reply to ‘Koththamalli Budget’

Wednesday, 4 February 2015 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Policy Planning and Economic Affairs Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva with Media Secretary Karunarathne Paranavithana – Pic by Lasantha Kumara By Waruni Paranagamage The Government could have given more budgetary concessions to the people if the country had not been restricted by the hedging deal and other boundaries which the previous Government is responsible for creating, Deputy Minister of Policy Development and Economic Affairs, Dr. Harsha De Silva asserted yesterday in Colombo. Describing future plans to boost the 100-day program, he said the total debt generated by the hedging deal had still not been fully calculated and it would negatively affect the economy to increase total payments. “The previous Government could not give benefits to people while the oil price fell in the world market because the CPC (Ceylon Petroleum Corporation) restricted by the hedging deal,” De Silva asserted. He pointed that it could have reduced the oil price more if the country did not enter into the hedging deal. Even if some parties argue that the Government had not addressed essential commodities such as dry fish and rice with immediate budgetary relief, De Silva said that the reason behind such a move was to protect the farmers and fishermen.