Parliament

“Financial reforms  have borne fruit”

 

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said in Parliament yesterday that there is significant progress in the country’s financial status due to the reforms made to improve the financial situation.

He said that on the basis of economic stability and bilateral and multilateral support, it will be possible to avoid the shortage of foreign exchange and to restore investors’ confidence in the country and make progress in the economy.

The State Minister said this in reply to an oral question by MP Premnath C. Dolawatte.

The State Minister said that despite various criticisms and accusations, the Government tolerated all of them and carried out the work to reach the final goal. He said that good results are being realized today.

From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2022, the Government has received loans from foreign countries, foreign agencies and banks amounting to US$ 29,922 million and the amount of grants received during that period was US$ 349 million, Semasinghe said.

The State Minister for Finance further stated that the loans and grants have been used for the specific purposes for which they were obtained.

 

Deputy Speaker calls for  action against false news

Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse told the House yesterday that his privileges were violated by false news published in several national newspapers.

MP Rajapaksa noted that the said false news has damaged his personal image and the reputation of the House.

The false news has alleged that a land belonging to Rajapakse is being used to cultivate cannabis.

The Deputy Speaker requested that the persons who had spread this false news be summoned before the Privileges Committee, and appropriate measures be taken regarding the violation of his privileges.