President Ranil Wickremesinghe says if the budget is prepared as proposed by National People’s Power (NPP) Presidential candidate MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, then the US Dollar rate will be between Rs. 400 and Rs. 425.
Addressing the ‘Puluwan Sri Lanka’ public rally in Gampola yesterday, President Wickremesinghe said in the coming year, the government’s expenditure will be US$ 6800 billion and income will be US$ 5100 billion.
“We have a gap and I expect it to be less than 5% to get money from the market,” he further said.
President Wickremesinghe pointed out that, however, as per the NPP’s Budget proposal, the government will require Rs.8900 billion, and after deducting tax, they need an income of Rs. 4900 billion.
“Their budget deficit is Rs. 4000 billion less. Now how will they find the rest of the money to bridge the gap? I would like to ask Anura Dissanayake to please tell me what this budget is. Why put this burden back on the people? ” he questioned.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe further urged NPP Presidential candidate MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake to disclose details of his economic policies to the nation. (Newswire)