The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, amidst continuing serious economic challenges, poverty and income inequality are imposing a heavy burden on people’s lives in Sri Lanka. Poverty manifests in a multidimensional way—covering nutrition, security, education, health and living standards—and must be recognized as a fundamental issue hindering national development. Therefore, I request clarifications from the relevant Hon. Minister on the current state of poverty in Sri Lanka, Government measures in response, and national policy:

¶ 02 1. What is the current number of persons in poverty in Sri Lanka, by district? Given the Middle East war’s impact on fuel and other price increases, we expect clear updated statistics.

¶ 03 2. How does the Government define poverty? What is the assessed overall national impact due to poverty, especially considering current cost-of-living burdens?

¶ 04 3. What indicators are used for the National Poverty Line and multidimensional poverty? What criteria underlie them, and what are their latest values? Please account for impacts on manufacturing, self-employment, and MSMEs under current conditions.

¶ 05 4. Has the Government studied poverty’s impact on the national economy?

¶ 06 5. What social protection and income-augmentation programmes are currently in operation to lift people out of poverty, and what are their outcomes?

¶ 07 6. Does the Government accept the need for a National Poverty Alleviation Policy? The “Aswesuma” programme alone is insufficient, as many citizens contend.

¶ 08 7. If such a policy exists, what are its key components and timeline?

¶ 09 8. Have the most affected vulnerable groups been identified (children, mothers, persons with disabilities, the elderly, youth, etc.)? Can figures be provided, or has the Government failed to compile such data? What steps are being taken for these groups?

¶ 10 9. What is the proposed Government programme to treat such groups equitably?

¶ 11 10. What are the Government’s short-, medium- and long-term policy measures to eradicate multidimensional poverty, considering rising prices, living costs, loss of incomes and jobs, including the closure of many garment factories?