By Harsha Gunasena –
Ajith Nivard Cabraal on behalf of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has proposed a twelve-point methodology to boost the economy of Sri Lanka. The political movement represented by Cabraal promotes authoritarianism and chauvinism and the same represented by the present government promotes democracy. Both political movements promote market-based economy. Based on the accepted political thinking, the first movement represents the far right. Therefore, it is pertinent to examine these proposals carefully.
Sri Lankan economy is in dire straits. Income of the state has been lessor than the expenditure from the date of independence except for few years. The deficit was covered by domestic and foreign borrowings. As a result of the prolonged deficits of the government budget, government debt increased gradually. If these expenses were used at the optimum level, then there would have been an economic growth which would have facilitated the repayment of debts. For instance, expenditure on education would have created an educated young generation which would have been capable of enhancing the national production. Eventually it would support the growth of the economy. When the economy is growing income of the government also will grow with increased income from taxes and thereby the debts can be settled. In other words, there is no harm of borrowing if the benefits are more than the expenses incurred.
When this government came to power on one hand government debt was going up and on the other hand government revenue was going down. In 1990 government revenue as a percentage of Gross Domestic Production (GDP) was 19.6%. in 2014 it dropped to 11.5%. In 2018 it marginally increased to 13.3%. Government debt as a percentage of GDP was 71.3% in 2014 and in 2018 it was 82.9%. Government debt is comprising of foreign debt and domestic debt. This increase was due to the increase of foreign debt. In 2014 the component of foreign debt to GDP was 30% and in 2018 it was 41.6%. The reasons for this increase were foreign borrowing to bridge the budget deficit, low growth of GDP, and depreciation of the Rupee during the tenure of this government. Decrease of the growth of GDP started in 2013, during the tenure of the previous government which was 3.4%. Average GDP growth from 2010 to 2012 was 8.5%. Average growth rate from 2013 to 2017 was 4.2% and in 2018 it was 3.2%. IMF predicted that the growth in 2019 would be 2.7%.
Although this government as well as the previous government declared that the budget deficit would be reduced, it has not reduced to the expected level. Ruling parties give relief to the people in the years of the elections and as a result budget deficit increases in those years.
In addition to the budget deficit there is a deficit between the receipts of exports and the payments to imports. A Considerable amount of this deficit is covered by the foreign remittances received from the people employed overseas. Exports should have been increased in order to bridge this deficit. In 2004 income received from the export of goods and services as a percentage of GDP was 35.3% and in 2010 it was reduced to 19.55%. In 2014 it was 21.09% and in 2018 it was marginally increased to 22.7%. Therefore, the economic prosperity during the previous government which is highlighted very often was a myth. Prosperity was there superficially but erosion was started underneath.
Cabraal’s twelve points should be viewed in this background. His first suggestion was to immediately slash tax rates by at least 20% while also abolishing several obnoxious taxes which have seriously affected business sentiment and confidence. By reducing taxes the rich will be encouraged to invest. As a result there can be an economic growth. This is an accepted phenomenon. During the economic slowdown of the previous years many suggested that the economy can be stimulated by reducing taxes and increasing the government expenditure. This was tried by the present government as well in their first budget prior to the general election. With the increasing growth of the GDP there is an increasing chance of paying the debt. Since the government revenue has reduced drastically this government had to increase taxes in order to rectify the situation. Not only that, out of the total tax revenue ,80% comes from indirect taxes and only 20% comes from direct taxes which means those who can pay, pay less compared to those who cannot pay. Moreover, the expected income from Value Added tax is also not received. This situation is obnoxious in the point of view of the state. During the previous regimes various tax concessions were given to the private sector and it is doubtful whether the state got the return expected. Although It may have been unpopular at this crucial point and detrimental to the reelection of the government, it was mandatory to take certain steps to increase the revenue of the government.
Therefore, all these things should be balanced. If there are any obnoxious taxes those should be removed. Discussions should be carried out with the private sector who pays the taxes.
He went on to suggest that the interest rates should be reduced. This is being done now. He wanted to stabilize the exchange rate by instilling confidence among key investors and gradually steer the Sri Lanka Rupee to a value of around Rs.150 per USD by end 2021. He further stated that such gradual strengthening of the Rupee will be based on the improvement of the business environment which will then allow all stakeholders to gradually adjust to the strengthening currency.
During the tenure of the previous government the value of the rupee was kept at artificially inflated value. The main reason for this decision was that if the rupee was devalued the government would have to pay more in terms of the Rupee for the foreign currency borrowings. In two instances Central Bank could not hold it and there were rapid depreciations of the Rupee. However, the main victims of this policy were the exporters. Consequences were visible and during that period exports reduced drastically. There is no proposal to improve the exports among these proposals and this proposal discourage exports. For Sri Lanka there is no other way for solid development other than export of goods and services by linking to high end production and service channels since we are having a small domestic market. Policy should be to focus on the exports and if the exports improve Rupee will be eventually strengthened. Rupee cannot be strengthened by mere improvement of the business environment. There are no short cuts in this process and jargons of words would not serve any purpose.
During the previous regime GSP+ relief to export the goods to European Union with concessionary customs duty was withheld. At that time the government did not agree to grant certain human rights of the people as a condition of that relief. As a result, the exporters who exported goods to European Union were affected. This government obtained this relief back.
He wanted to renegotiate all unfavourable commercial agreements that have been entered into or to be entered into by the current Government including the Hambantota Port, Mattala Airport, Millennium Challenge Agreement. This is a good move. As a result of a similar negotiation by this government, we were able to convert an unfavourable agreement with China to hand over them a portion of the reclaimed land under the Port City project to a 99 year lease agreement.
His next major suggestion was to build 600km ellipsical ring expressway around the entire island and to Initiate several other mega infrastructure development projects in order to give a significant boost to the real economy at the ground level. Duty of the government is to invest in infra structure. This will result in the promotion of investments. It is also true that mega investments would be a stimulation to the ailing economy. It would be beneficial if low interest loan can be obtained for a long period. It would be hard to get low interest loans since we are a middle-income country. Politicians like this type of mega projects. Stimulation will be sustainable only if the production and exports follow. These mega projects should not be white elephants such as Mattala airport.
Based on the situation of the country it is the responsibility of the innovative rulers to find out the ways to get more benefits by investing a lessor amount. A considerable amount can be saved by reorganization of the public sector. Ranil Wickremesinghe, when he became the Prime Minister in 2001 at the time the economy recorded a negative growth, stopped the recruitments to the public sector altogether. As an experienced politician he would have known that it was a political suicide, but he did it since it was essential at that time due to inflated public sector.
Cabraal’s short term proposals such as to call for a moratorium on capital repayment by customers who service their interest payments without interruption, for a period of 18 months; government to establish a Business Revival Fund to provide relief to the financial institutions to face the rapidly increasing NPL scenario; and stabilise all financial and banking institutions immediately and wherever necessary, provide liquidity support; were good proposals. However there are fundamental flaws of his overall economic recovery plan.
In order to come out from the present situation effectively the budget deficit should be reduced. Small and medium entrepreneurs living throughout the island should be supported effectively. Production and the exports should grow. Tax concessions and low interest loans should be given to the exporters. Then the trade deficit would be favorable and the economy would be expanded. More importantly the country should have the rule of law. This is of paramount importance for the foreign investors to come.
This government is trying to find out lasting solutions to the two basic questions of the country, budget deficit and the trade deficit. Although the movement is slow the selected path is correct. In the run economic growth is affected. There are no quick solutions to the chronic economic problems. The duty of the next government should be to expedite the slow movement and not to mess it up by going in a different direction.
Gamini / October 24, 2019
[edited out]
The main ‘Plan’ of the SLPP is how to maintain the Family Party, wield power so they and their henchmen, kith and kin can be protected from litigations and thrive at the expense of the poor and the downtrodden. They are parasites and lowest of the lowest!
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ranjith / October 26, 2019
Gamini You are correct they are criminals and day light robbers Rajapaksas are only for their family
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Nosey Parker / October 24, 2019
Mr . Gunasena
Your critique is clearly biased . As a finance professional how could you justify leasing the Hambantota Port – or for that matter any national asset to a foreign entity for 99 years ?
The Mattala Airport is by no means a white elephant. It has great potential if well managed . One could also assume you found no fault in it being used to store paddy .
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Harsha Gunasena / October 24, 2019
Thanks for your comment. Sri Lanka is having a budget deficit from the begining except for two years.After we borrow, to repay the debt we have to borrow more since there is a deficit in the following years as well. In this type of situation returns of the investment should come quickly. Therefore rather than getting dragged into the debt trap more, leasing is good. However if we can stay without leasing it would have been better. Situation does not permit that I believe.
Just compare the Mattala Airport with jaffna Airport.
What do you say about the outright sale of Shangrila premises? A portion of reclaimed land of port city was planned to sell outright to China. This government changed it to a lease which is better.
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Anil Karunaratne / October 25, 2019
Mr. Gunasena,
Enjoyed reading your article. You call for public sector reforms and cite Ranil’s courage to freeze recruitment in 2001 and yet you don’t seem to have noticed his 2015 action to increase the salaries by Rs.10,000 per month across the board for 1.5 million public sector employees. The cost of this action is around Rs.200 Billion PER ANNUM (well over $1 Billion per annum). Just to put it in context, this seems equivalent to the cost of the Hambantota harbor, meaning that 4 such harbors could have been built during the last 4 years! Further, this salary increase is permanent and the need for the state to find at least $1 Billion every year will continue in perpetuity. The sad fact is, this salary increase was not even asked for by the employees but was given voluntarily to fulfill an election promise. Further, if I recall correctly, the public sector salaries were again increased by over Rs.2000 per month back in July of this year and another increase has been promised for January next year! I can’t help but agree with calls of “bribing for votes” here.
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Harsha Gunasena / October 26, 2019
Mr. Anil Karunaratne,
Thanks for your time.
I agree with you. I said this in the article.
“Although this government as well as the previous government declared that the budget deficit would be reduced, it has not reduced to the expected level. Ruling parties give relief to the people in the years of the elections and as a result budget deficit increases in those years.”
This was done ahead of the general election 2015.
When questioned about the extra ordinay expense PM said they wanted to revive the economy by pumping money to this sector.
I also said this in my article.
“During the economic slowdown of the previous years many suggested that the economy can be stimulated by reducing taxes and increasing the government expenditure. This was tried by the present government as well in their first budget prior to the general election.”
Reference was to the point you raised.
I have pointed out the matter of stopping the recruitments since it was unprecedented, probably may not occur in the future.
I have looked at the issue in the point of view of the national interest. I believe that the present policies are favourable to the country in the long run. If I am proved wrong I would accept it.
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D. P. / October 25, 2019
Nosey Parker,
May be it is difficult for you to understand national economics but I’m sure you will understand your own economic. Assume you have a financed vehicle not making any money. What would you if you realized your income is not enough to maintain the vehicle (fuel cost, registration, insurance, miscellaneous, etc)? Will you keep it eve if it threaten you go bankrupt or sell it and try ti live within means?
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This was exactly the situation with Mattala & H’tota. Tax payers were paying loans with interest but no income to maintain the Gvt. Worse, the export income was dwindling while import costs were rising. that is how the both said projects became unbearable “white elephants”. No wonder people like you (MaRa lovers) and the so-called nationalists (JVP included) keep talking about preserving national pride while country is going bankrupt!
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Speaking about the SLPP economic plan, no matter what is written, I guarantee that, if come to power, SLPP will keep on same pre-2015 gambling. That is b’cos MaRa puts priority on politics than on economic recovery. For example, the first thing MaRa did during the 51 day Gvt is ti stop enterprise SL project and start popular but expensive projects like reducing fuel prices, filling Gvt jobs, etc. But, what country needs urgently is a program to encourage export oriented investment; not investing in another “white Elephants” type expensive infrastructure projects. That is b’cos both the trade gap & budget gap is widening while income growth is decreasing.
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Lion / October 26, 2019
D.P
I still recall ex- constable Chamal Rajapakse showing up at one of the Rupavahini shows arranged to mark the inauguration of the Mattala Airport. The host inquired as to whose idea was to construct the airport at Mattala and CR’s answer was that after winning the war Rajapakses asked the Hambantota people what they wanted and the answer was an Airport.
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ranjith / October 26, 2019
Nosey why did MR go for a early election he could have manage Mattala airport and Hambantota port for another two years and then go for presidential election in end 2017 they don’t know how to manage Rajapakasas only to robbed and murder
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chiv / October 24, 2019
Thanks, Harsha for presenting facts. Over to “party blinded ” Rusiri for his comments.
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Lankan / October 24, 2019
you must be joking .
under gota there is no place for economic advisors and expert ..
he is a dictator in all term;
he bring Chinese projects as he likes; he will take commissions as he likes .
who can question .
if anyone does he will disappeared
he will take commissions from all department .
for the sake of good Sri Lanka please vote for Sajith or Anura.
otherwise; people will have to pay a big price for his fraud and public fund looting
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Eagle Eye / October 24, 2019
“This government is trying to find out lasting solutions to the two basic questions of the country, budget deficit and the trade deficit.”
This Government keeps on saying that exports should be promoted as a solution to the trade deficit, but very little effort has been taken to achieve this.
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This Government does not think of reducing imports as a solution to trade deficit. Think of the amount of foreign exchange drained out as a result of importing duty free vehicles to MPs and bullet proof cars to President and PM. This Government ruined the agricultural sector and allow traders to import food items that can be produced in the country. This Government allows to import all kind of junk which are not really essential. I was wondering why this country should waste foreign exchange earned by hard working ladies in the Middle East to import very expensive perfume, make-up stuff, whitening cream and jewelry used by high class women who hardly contribute to the economic development of the country and foreign liquor and cigarettes.
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Harsha Gunasena / October 26, 2019
Egale Eye,
Thanks for your comment.
Prior to 1977 the policy was to restrict the imports. Dr N.M. Perera tried hard to promote exports but within the policy of restriction of imports. From 1977 the main policy of the government was export promotion. Within that imports can be restricted as the need arises. Import restrictions can be done by increasing the tariff. I agree to what you have said. Tariff should be increased on non- essential items.
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Native Vedda / October 26, 2019
Eagle Blind Eye
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Brilliant,
I welcome your idea of going back to the dark ages of Siri Mao.
No television, no mobile phones, no phones, no computers, no foreign travel, no technology, no spare parts, no bicycle tyres, no parippu, no bread, no ………………………….. no sugar, no import of raw material, no machines, no machine tools, ………………..
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One way you could save some foreign exchange is that ban Gota travelling to USA and Singapore (for medical treatment), driving around in imported luxury vehicles, … ………………
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Douglas / October 24, 2019
The “PROMISE”: Economic Recovery under SLPP. Before examining this “Recovery Plan”, just take a considered view of the “TEAM” that has assembled with the party and the “Presidential Hopeful”. That “TEAM”, isn’t it the same old wine in a different bottle named “SLPP”. How many of those in that “team” already facing criminal charges in courts? Among them, the “Presidential Hopeful” is prominent. All of them , again including this “Candidate” have managed to get their cases “Postponed” for dates well passing the election day. That “RECOVERY PLAN” is noting but to get over the huge load of “Criminal Cases” that are pending. In that pursuit, this “Team” headed by the “Presidential Hopeful” and the “Mafia Boss” “MR” will put forward all “Sugar Coated” plans and promises to “DUPE” the voter and paint themselves with new “Brush” and “Paint”. So, it is worthless and a waste of time to get engage in analysing any of this “SLPP” “Recovery Plans”. What is good for the country and the people is chase away all those assembled with this SLPP.
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Mallaiyuran / October 24, 2019
Doing lot of research and writing essays will not help Lankawe economy. Old Royal will tell all the lies and come to power. Then they give Kerala Ganja, Biriyani and Kasippu to Sinhala/Buddhist men and for Rs 600 Sil Reddy to Sinhala /Buddhist women. Modayas will be happy. Then Old Royals will go for the 600 miles long highway with China to rob the nation. Prince can run their race on that highway. China will take another piece from the Island. When the economic sanctions start to loom, they will abandon the government two years early. Ranil will come back and save them all from those corruptions. Then he will say he saved all, thus the war Heroes. If one put deficit budget one year, then for 5 years the economy should show growth. But if you put deficit budget for 70 years, there is no way other than the economy to plunge.
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ajith / October 24, 2019
For economic development and economic growth, the country need democracy and political and social stability to attract productive investment, efficient and effective management of resources. The country never had a continuous political stability since 1956 to until now. Unfortunately, majority of the people in Srilanka slaves of religious, language, race based politics. Even though the people have the educational knowledge and skills they are the victims of fundamentalism. This cycle continues and I don’t think there is no other way to escape from this slavery. Simply we try to explain that instability is due to foreign forces that truth is that we Srilankans do not accept our inability to come out of racism and religious fundamentalism. For example, we wanted this country to be a Buddhist country. What do we want to get from Buddhism in governance? Instability?? War?? corruption??Murders?? Our conscience and education will say No, we want peace, stability, rule of law, justice, equality, sharing, empathy, helping others. At the moment country is relatively in peace. But a candidate wants to strengthen the security. So, he wants to spend more on security than peace. Some one wants to build Buddhist statues everywhere. Will the bring peace? No. Unless the people realise the truth, development and growth are only talking point.
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Edward G / October 25, 2019
The JVP has not yet renounced its beastly Marxist principle that “the end justifies the means”. Laksiri is an old Marxist who is still stuck in the naive half-truths of the Marxists. The JVP has continued to make a hero of the Pol Pot character Rohana Wijeweera. The JVP has not yet apologized and made amends for the thousands of innocent people it killed during its murderous spree of 1971 and then from 1988-1989 Bheeshana Samaya.
Today, and inded=ed since the 1980s the JVP has made the Universities a mockery. Children who should graduate in 4 years take 5 or sic years. The JVP leaders in campuses are behind ragging, money extortion, sex rings, drug rings, and disruption of classes. They are busy organizing strikes while drawing student loans and bursaries.
Laksiri talks nonsense and does not see how Marxism which began with Philip, NM, Colvin and others coming back from Europe with one of the two fascist ideologies that existed there. They were the Zharans and ISIS types of that era. They taught the Bhangaweva ideology, law and order are capitalist tools type of Marxist ideology to a nation of people who had a Nihathamaani and compassionate work ethic. They destroyed all local nascent industries like the Velona Factory in Moratuwa by continuous strikes, and radicalized the village youth who ended up taking arms after 5 silly JVP lessons. Laksiri was a man who, in an earlier era, took not 5 silly lessons, but 500 silly lessons by theso called LSSP golden brains who ultimately ended hanging onto Sirima’s Sari pota..
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JD / October 25, 2019
MAhinda Rajapakse and his two advisors are Ajith Nivard Cabrall and Basil rajapakse. Way to go. Ajith Nivard Cabrall is important to erase all the trails.
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Saman / October 25, 2019
Ajith Cabral is the man who helped to steal public money to Rajapaksha family.
He is a puppet for whole Rajapaksha family,
What a hell he plans for Sri Lankan economy.
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Jey / October 25, 2019
God help the poor and naïve Sri Lankans, if Gota – SLPP get elected. What Economic Plan? swindle more money? borrow from China? fear? white vans. These are the modus operandi of the Rajapakses.
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charles / October 25, 2019
Economic recovery plan of Pohotuwa is not the best but when you compare with UNP plan that has been doing last 5 years, it is far ahead.
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Harsha Gunasena / October 27, 2019
Dear Charles, Can you please give reasons for your statement? I have given reasons against it.
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Roshan rodneya / October 25, 2019
Old people still crave for power and with the black money they earned pay trade unions to protest and strikes day in and day out.so how can a government run? This govt brought freedom of speech and right to information bill and we re being protected from white vans. Why would any should vote for a family of thieves who are talking deshapremi while keeping the foreign citizenship either for them or the families..why do we need an American or Americans to govern Srilanka. Is it not another firm of colonial rule by a proxy
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Lasantha Pethiyagoda / October 25, 2019
People like Cabraal, Dayan J, GL Peiris all attempt to make some professional-sounding mumbo-jumbo in order to fool the people who look up to them as intellectuals. Therefore, at least the minority of us who are bi-lingual and have access to independent media must not be fooled by these grandiose plans with lots of stats and percentages as the ground realities of exploitation, nepotism, cronyism, callous indifference to people’s suffering all reign supreme.
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Emil van der Poorten / October 25, 2019
Lasantha Pethiyagoda:
Thanks for that succinct analysis of the rubbish that is being spouted by political stooges posing as “economic experts.”
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Native Vedda / October 26, 2019
Emil van der Poorten, Lasantha Pethiyagoda
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I am sorry to say you are in the minority of minority. However the winner will be elected by majority of the majority.
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I have just started reading Gota’s mumbo jumbo typed on 83 pages. Please read the first two pages and see the lies which are obvious.
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The mumbo jumbo reads like a compilation of copy past disjointed document. Whoever drafted it didn’t have a clue about economics, development, education, …. so on.
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Siri / October 25, 2019
Economic development process should essentially lead into the production of marketable / profit generating series of goods and services. If not they will only be categorized as “White Elephants”. At present we are blessed with lot of them and should avoid any more of them at any cost! True we need to spend on infrastructure to facilitate economic activities with faster logistic management of production inputs and output. There is no problem with that mission. However it is also important to direct attention/focus on converting the existing production institutions to profit making entities. That will also be an economic development process as well! We have some 400 or more of such institutions walloping some 50 billion rupees annually as they seemed to have not been properly managed! It is sad to notice that no policy framework with appropriate work programs, as restructuring, placement of quality management systems, improvement of general management, staff training, staff recruiting, salary levels etc have been laid down to make them productive/profitable.
It has also been observed that there is no reliable basis on which the new development proposals are presented! Why a highway mega project? Why not make the Kandy Colombo, M 1, a four lane way as quickly as possible? Why not build/improve a vast net work of farm to market roads in the rural Sri Lanka? Why not improve the distribution network of irrigation channels in most of the agricultural districts? Drinking water problem is rampant in many rural areas of the country and why not provide that basic commodity in double quick time? What is the economic logic of providing free fertilizers as the whole economy will have to pay that enormous bill! Instead of that educating the farming community to become entrepreneurs, than being taken for a ride by the cunning politicians for ever, will be far more profitable to the whole economy!
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kali / October 25, 2019
A Critique Of Economic Recovery Plan Of SLPP
*** Gotha & MR have many plans
1) To revive the Economy
2) To put in place security appratus to catchTHIEVES, CRIMINALS , CROOKS & LIARS.. But this dosent apply to those who have swindled the country and remain free, lied but got away with it. Killed but roaming free under the protection of the State Security..
3) The most fascinating one floated by MR yesterday was that the only party which can solve the Minority Grievances is the party which has the support of the Majority from the Majority Community. No doubt what he is asking for is the 2 million Tamil vote to ensure victory.
MR & Gotha I am sure you read CT and challenge you to the following.
If you mean what you say include it in your ” ELECTION MANIFESTO” in the following terms. Comrades vote for us and we will Devolve Power and avoid the carnage which has blighted this country for the last 71 years.
I bet if you did that you will be crushed at the polls. Gotha or no Gotha .
I am sure sure you know what happened to SWRD. He was bumped off by Soma Rama Thero ” . From what I have read that was because he was going to solve the Enthnic issue. So Gotha & MR take notice no one except India can force Sri Lanka to devolve power. and if you attempt to do it your own body giard will bump you off one day while you are returning to your bed room.and that will be your final resting place.
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chiv / October 25, 2019
DP, remember you are trying to explain to the “deaf and dumb”. With your permission let me try a different method for people who are mentally challenged. Lankas monthly income is 5 Billion and paying debt alone is 7 Billion. There is a short fall of 2 Billion monthly which is 24 Billion a year and bankruptcy by end of Rajapaksas rule.(after that they will settle in US and you ????) GOT IT. If not avoid casting vote , because of lacking mental capacity to make right decision.
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ranjith / October 26, 2019
This government has done lot of work during the last 4 1/2 years with all the obstacles from within the unity government SLFP ministers , The president , natural disasters and MR supporters unannounced continuous strikes . UPFA and Maitree as president ruled the country for more than 25 years is it fair to compare the work done in 25 years vs 4 1/2 years , Yahapalanaya government record is much better , present government took over a country with huge foreign and local debt invested on useless project borrowed 8% or more interest rates still these loans are not settled and with tarnished image of our motherland by Rajapakse regime.Under yahapalanaya we gain our lost rights and freedom which the nation lost during under Rajapakses ruthless and dictatorial family rule .
Rajapakases sold the country to China including Army HQ , 15000 hectares of land , port city project and many more we have to understand the difference of selling our national wealth and leasing Rajapakses did this to robbed and accumulate wealth outside Srilanka mainly in USA ,UAE and many other countries final Srilanka as a nation got poorer and poor Rajapakse got richer and richer .
Finally Namal Rajapakse while addressing a rally in Everur in the east has told they are forming a sinhala government , where are we heading division and violence against UNP supporters , Tamils ,Muslims , Burgers and Malays we can see already extremist forces are with Goatabaya ,if Gotabaya wins on 16th November we will loose our rights and freedom which we are enjoying now and very valuable to us which we cannot loose under any circumstances cost of living and other issues are secondary . Under this government security was under the president unfortunately the attack on 21st April security was under control with all the freedom we were enjoying Gotabya is directly involved in 21st April attack NTJ was started under UPFA government and sponsored for their political achievements
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