Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order 27(2), I present the following questions.

¶ 02 A government should base decisions on scientific data for efficient governance. Accordingly, I pose the following questions and expect accurate answers and clarifications from the Government.

¶ 03 01. Does the Government accept that new data on poverty is crucial when making future decisions in a country whose rulers themselves declared bankruptcy? If so, what poverty measures were considered during the preparation of the Budget? What are their sources?

¶ 04 02. When do you expect to present a new report on the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES)? When was the last HIES conducted? When does the Government expect to release a new report of the Population and Housing Census?

¶ 05 03. Does the present Government accept that the Aswesuma programme implemented by the previous government can in fact eradicate poverty? If not, why? According to existing beneficiary selection mechanisms, how many people who should receive Aswesuma do not receive it, according to your estimates, and on what data are those conclusions based?

¶ 06 There is a clear issue regarding the criteria used to include and exclude beneficiaries in Aswesuma. We need clarity.

¶ 07 04. Are the financial provisions for Aswesuma obtained through grants? If so, from which institutions? If not, are these provisions obtained through loans? If so, from whom and under what interest terms? In such a background, can the Government ensure the continuous implementation of the programme?

¶ 08 05. Does the Government accept that to eliminate poverty, a programme encompassing production, investment, savings, consumption and exports is necessary? If not, is the Government’s policy merely to provide financial assistance for a certain period to eradicate poverty? If there is an identified alternative, when will it be introduced and what is it?

¶ 09 06. Has any study been conducted on the challenges Sri Lankan exporters will face amid impending changes in global competitiveness and tariff rates? If not, why? We see increasing economic protectionism globally, with rising tariffs. Rural and urban poor communities are engaged in various industries, especially apparel. If there are heavy impacts on our exports and export destinations due to tariff increases, what plans does the Government have to provide solutions? How will the Government proceed to protect exporters under such conditions?

¶ 10 I especially expect a response from the Government. Mr. Speaker, since this is a complex subject, I also request an opportunity to seek clarifications based on the Minister’s reply. Thank you.