"Govt. should be more considerate towards the people" - Mahinda Rajapaksa

Mahinda Rajapaksa, responding to the interim budget in Parliament today (Dec 21) said that the government should be more considerate about the people and provide concessions.

During his address, Mr. Rajapaksa said that there is no point of filling the state coffers using the tax payers money.

He further said that the economic situation of the country was in dire straits when they assumed power, forcing merhcants to close down their businesses. He pointed out that the construction industry was badly affected at the time of his appointment as Prime Minister.

"While we sit in the Opposition and you'll sit in government, don't keep much faith in the seats that you hold. At any moment we as the Opposition, together with the people will rise up," Mr Rajapaksa said.

He added further, "although the Prime Minister reduced fuel prices today, the price reduction should have taken place before. That did not happen," he remarked. 

Mr Rajapaksa also said the only way to restore the economic situation of the country was to be more considerate on the side of the people. He said the people cannot be burdened with heavy taxation while the treasury fills its reserves. He said after he was appointed PM  the VAT was reduced enabling people the space to go about with their work.

"This is a time when the economy has collapsed and unemployment is rising. I urge the government  to pay attention to Cardinal Malcom Ranjith's Christmas Day message, " Mr Rajapaksa said.

He said the government need not be dictated to by the  International Monetary Fund as many countries that listened to them had to face grave consequences adding that owing to this, to  think from the side of the people.

" Take a look at the people's side. Reduce the price of goods. We need to do this change. People are facing alot of hardship. If we had not come back then, the country would have had to face a similar situation experienced in France and Greece," he said.