Govt. trying to infuse farmers with ganja hope – Rohini

By Saman Indrajith

The government was attempting to convince farmers that their woes could be overcome by planting cannabis, SJB MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna told Parliament on Friday (18).She said that the government had no solutions to the problems faced by farmers and it wanted to pacify farmers by telling them that cannabis was some kind of a magic bullet.

“However, there is often chaos and disillusionment when drug induced dreams shatter,” she warned.

Wijerathna said President Ranil Wickremsinghe came into power thanks to the Aragalaya movement. Instead of understanding why the youth had taken to the streets, the President was bent on crushing them.

“He has done nothing to win over young people, farmers or workers. Budget 2023 doesn’t address any pressing issues of the people.

The inflation is above 65 percent and food inflation is hovering at 90 percent. The government is increasing direct taxes to address the Budget deficit. While tax revenue has to be increased, the manner in which the government is doing it will have a lot of negative externalities, she said.

“A person who earned 500,000 rupees a month, paid 180,000 rupees in tax annually. Now, they have to pay 1.2 million. Anyone who earns 100,000 rupees is taxed. Given the inflation, 100,000 rupees is nothing.”

The SJB MP said that the current crisis had been created in three years. The inflation was in single digits in 2019 and the country had over seven billion dollars in reserves.

“Everything was ruined in three years. Those who are responsible for the crisis are enjoying perks and live the life of Riley. It is the people who are suffering and being punished for the sins of others,” she added.