UNP put country in peril - SB | Daily News

UNP put country in peril - SB

Picture by: Nirosh  Batepola
Picture by: Nirosh Batepola

The United National Party (UNP) Government that came to power in 2015 put the country in peril, Lands and Land Development State Minister S.B.Dissanayake said.

“The country’s loan liabilities after 2015 has increased to 99 per cent from 74 per cent. Besides the dollar value has increased significantly after 2015 to Rs.180 from 130,” he said. Development in the agriculture sector has declined to 4.2 per cent, while the unemployment rate among the public has also increased depriving 409,000 persons of their livelihood.

He was speaking along with MP Dilan Perera at a media briefing held at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party office in Battaramulla yesterday.

He further said the government under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is fulfilling the promises and pledges made by the SLPP during the Presidential Election.

“The country is making great strides under the visionary leadership of the President,” Dissanayake said.

Speaking on the rice issue, he said that the rice imported by former Industries Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at a cost of Rs.80 per kilo was sold as animal feed at Rs.30 since the consignment had been idling in the harbour for years.

“Bathiudeen’s Ministry has paid Rs. 543 million as demurrage for failure to clear the consignment on time,” he revealed.However, it has been revealed that the rice sold as animal feed at a cost of Rs.30 has come back to Lanka Sathosa after being polished at rice mills in Polonnaruwa and other places,” he said.

The Minister said that not only rice, even green leaves such as Kankun, Mugunuwenna and GotuKola were imported without trying to uplift agriculture in the country.

Asked whether a three acre land in Colombo has been sold to Shangri-La Hotel network, he said that the land has not been sold but given to Shangri-La only on a 99 year lease.He aslo said that several higher education institutions are being upgraded as universities for the benefit of students who pass the Advanced Level examination.

 


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