A heated debate occurred between President Ranil Wickramasinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in Parliament yesterday.
The debate began when opposition leader Sajith Premadasa raised a question following the President’s special statement regarding the restructuring of Sri Lanka’s foreign debt.
The leader of the opposition asked the President whether the increase in malnutrition, poverty, and unemployment in the country is good or bad. In response, the President questioned whether it is good or bad to avoid taking responsibility for the country when the economy is collapsing and the people are in trouble.
The opposition leader asked if it is good or bad for children to suffer from malnutrition. The President responded that it is unfortunate, “That is why we implemented the Aswasuma program and provided ten kilos of rice to low-income people for two months. That is why the program of providing food to school children was started.”
President Ranil Wickramasinghe continued by asking whether poverty is good or bad. He stated that poverty is bad, which is why 2 million people are being given free land rights under the “Urumaya” national program and why the 250,000 people living in apartments are being given the right to those houses. He questioned what else should be provided. He also asked whether unemployment is good or bad. Since unemployment is ominous, new factories were started and new investments are being brought to the country.
The President posed another question: “When the country’s economy is destroyed and the people are in trouble, is it good to run away in fear without assuming the prime ministership? I ask you, how are you?”
The President mentioned that 200 billion rupees have already been paid to construction contractors. He asked if it is unfortunate. Now, with aid returning, the construction of the Kandy Expressway can be completed. He asked if the opposition leader was sad about that. The opposition leader did not answer.