Ravi to make a statement in Parliament on loan issue

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake is to issue an official statement in Parliament on May 19 in connection with issuing of loans from Lankaputhra Development Bank. Addressing a press briefing at the ministry yesterday, Minister Karunanayake said the former President and others should not talk like they have woken up from a deep sleep. “They should not judge us by their standards. They had discussed with the President unimportant things like halting FCID operations. If five cents belonging to a tax payer is misused, we have to reveal it. We do not have hidden agendas. Our prime target is to uplift the people’s living standards,” he said. Minister Karunanayake said the government has adequate funds to run the country. “Funds are flowing into the country because of the trust in the present regime. We will never fund questionable projects. Sri Lanka is today earning Rs. 100 and paying Rs. 99 as installments for debt. The FCID should come under the purview of the Prime Minister. If anybody has a problem, they can go to court,” he said. Minister Karunanayake said he will table the report on the Treasury Bond issue in Parliament next week.