Sajith claims Govt is Taxing People to win the “IMF Cup”

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today accused the National People’s Power (NPP) Government of implementing an economic programme that goes beyond the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement signed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, despite promising to renegotiate the programme before coming to power. Addressing a public meeting in Pannala, Premadasa claimed the Government had adopted what he described as an “extreme right-wing neoliberal programme” that exceeded IMF requirements. He alleged that while the IMF agreement required a primary surplus target of 2.3%, the Government had increased it to 5.4%, while raising State revenue to 15.4% of GDP compared to the IMF target of 13.9% through higher taxes and reduced public capital expenditure. “The Government wants to become the IMF’s favourite and even win the IMF Cup,” Premadasa said, accusing the administration of placing an unnecessary tax burden on the public. The Opposition Leader also accused the Government of attempting to undermine judicial independence by delaying appointments to vacancies in the higher judiciary while seeking to extend the retirement age of senior judges. He further criticised the Government’s handling of the agriculture sector, claiming paddy farmers continue to incur losses despite election promises to guarantee a Rs. 150 purchase price for paddy. Premadasa said Agriculture Ministry figures show it costs farmers Rs. 137 to produce a kilogram of paddy, while the Government offers a guaranteed price of Rs. 120, resulting in a loss of Rs. 17 per kilogram. He also criticised the Government’s education reforms, alleging that history had been removed as a core subject and that planned curriculum reforms lacked proper direction. Premadasa further claimed the country had failed to attract significant new investments and alleged that existing industries were leaving Sri Lanka. The remarks were made during the “Pacha Madiwata Horu Anura Fail” public meeting held in Pannala. (Newswire)