"2019 Budget is chained by the IMF" - MP Bandula Gunawardana

COLOMBO (News 1st): The opposition has expressed concern on the 2019 Budget which is to be presented in Parliament today (March 5). UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardana told the media that the budget is "chained by the International Monetary Fund". He stated that this budget is presented by the government to cover the election year that will create a huge financial crisis in the country. He stated that this will burden the people with a "massive amount of debt". The MP said: "The government shared some of the main terms and conditions with the officials of the finance ministry. The budget deficit should be decreased to 3.5% of the gross domestic product in 2020. The only method to increase revenue is to impose more and more taxes on people. That is a hunt." According to MP Gunawardana, the IMF has wanted to present revised tax proposals, so that the revenue from the budget will be increased by another Rs. 150 million. "Now they can't cut down some expenses because the election is coming up. Due to these policies the government is following, they cannot refrain from increasing the salaries. All three-wheeler owners will be given Rs. 2 million to buy a vehicle. Then they will be under pressure to cast their vote for the UNP. The growth rate of the country is 3 percent. Even at the peak of the war, this has not happened. The real fate of the country should be unveiled by the Finance Minister." he added.