The government is trying to sacrifice ten thousand lives for the people of the country for Rs. 500 billion, says Samagi Jana Balawega MP Dr Harsha de Silva. Speaking to the media, Dr Harsha de Silva commented on the report prepared by the Independent panel of experts including the World Health Organization on the current situation in Sri Lanka during the Covid pandemic.
Dr Harsha de Silva further commented
A recent report by a panel of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) said that if the country was closed until September 18, 7,500 lives could be saved and if it was closed until October 2, thousands of lives could be saved. They had also calculated the possible economic losses during this period. According to them, if the country is closed until September 18, the economic loss will be the US $ 1.7 million. They further say that if it is closed until October 2, the loss to the economy will be the US $ 2.2 billion. Compared to the current exchange rates, it is 500 billion Sri Lankan rupees.
Some in the government who want to save Rs. 500 billion say that the country should be opened. Before that, we need to think about whether this age-appropriate economic model suits us. Through this alternative economic model, the rupee has depreciated from 182 to 225. It has depreciated by 40 rupees. Our foreign debt is just over $ 55 billion. Sri Lanka’s debt increase due to the devaluation of the rupee is 2500 billion rupees. This was due to the incompetence of the government.
Today the people of the country have to sacrifice their lives to save Rs. 500 billion. Can we keep this government? The government needs to understand the alternatives available to it. This Harsha de Silva said in Parliament that the alternative economy will not work. A country cannot be developed by printing money. Argued in October. Discuss the international now. I do not want to push the government into the International Monetary Fund. An international organization to help countries in crisis. So this time I say the government should be interested in this without sacrificing lives for 500 billion rupees
