What do we leave for our children? - fmr JVP MP Vidyaratne

COLOMBO (News 1st); We need to think about what we leave for our children when we die, says former JVP MP Samantha Vidyaratne.

Expressing his views on the current foreign exchange crisis in the country at a public meeting held last night (18), the former MP stated that now the Government had decided to cut off the electricity supply for an hour and a half everyday while the CEB and CPC are in a tug-of-war on USD and settling debts. 

Speaking further, the former MP stated that when Ministers make visits to other countries asking for loans, it is not simply a question of a man begging, but is a matter of reputation when a country begs. 

" The Lankan authorities go to China and request funds as we have no money to buy fuel. Then the Chinese say that they will give a loan not in dollars but in their country's currency. Then the Ministers go to India and complain that we have no way to make a living, no money to buy fuel and ask if we can get help. India says that it is possible, but we have to write the oil tanks under their ownership. We went to Bangladesh and asked them for a loan of 300 million dollars. They said they would give it if we can return it in three months. We could not pay in three months. Now we're asking for a loan from Nigeria. " the MP said.

Furthermore, the JVP member said that not only the rulers but every ruler since 1948 has brought down the country to the current level. Adding that this tradition has continued for 73 years, the former MP stated that Sri Lankans should think of what they are going to leave for the children.