Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has pledged to reduce unnecessary government spending through the interim budget.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe noted that he will propose to control costs and focus on revitalizing many areas affected by the economic crisis.
Issuing a statement, the Prime Minister said he will present an interim budget in Parliament on the basis of the government’s future economic plan and road map.
Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe added they are hopeful that the new budget will lay the foundation for the country’s economy, allowing it to stabilize and recover.
The Prime Minister said the International Monetary Fund has also agreed that the budget should focus on the economically weaker segment of the society.
The Premier stressed that the government will increase funds to provide relief packages to the low-income families from USD 350 million to USD 550 million.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe added all loans of farming families who have cultivated on lands less than two hectares will be written off immediately.
The Premier added the government will hand over the ownership of the lands to those occupying such areas under programmes such as Swarnabhoomi and Mahawali schemes.
Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe noted that the government will also enable ownership of urban flats on concessionary basis by occupants who are currently renting them.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said since the government has initiated a programme to provide relief to the people and to overcome the current economic crisis, all factions should support to make it a success.
