SLPP won't present budget for 2020 : Basil

COLOMBO (News1st): Basil Rajapaksa, a ruling party member has said his camp will not present a budget for this year if elected, a move that would see Sri Lanka running without a budget during the entire year. "By the first week of November, we will submit the budget for 2021," Rajapaksa, the national organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna told reporters on Tuesday. The previous administration elected in 2015 also did not submit a budget for 2020, as the presidential election fell in November last year, saying it would allow the new government to submit a budget. Currently, state expenses are being handled using funds that have been released from the consolidated fund of the treasury by the President. "The first budget will be presented in November 2021. From there we have to engage in building this country for the coming three to four years," Rajapaksa added. He also urged the people to grant his faction a two-thirds majority to amend the constitution, that has undergone 19 amendments since 1976. "Otherwise, we will end being hostages to other people. There is no one to be responsible for the 19th amendment," the national organizer of the SLPP remarked. On signing the US Millenium Challenge Agreement, Rajapaksa emphasised that international amendments cannot be abolished overnight, as the constitution has permitted agreements. "We are attempting to make certain amendments that will please both parties," he pointed out. The MCC agreement if signed would see a 480 million US dollar grant being given to Sri Lanka for transport and land administration projects in the country. "A final decision will be reached only after a broad discussion with the public adhering to the recommendations given by the committee that was appointed to study this compact," Rajapaksa noted.