PM says SOEs big headache for economy

The Parliament must decide whether the government must still be involved in operating hotels, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said yesterday in Parliament.The PM said that State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) had become a big problem for the economy.

“We must discuss what SOEs are essential and what are not,” he said.The Prime Minister added that the government had not terminated a single employee during the economic crisis and their salaries were paid.

“However, reforms are necessary for the SOEs and they will be restructured in a transparent manner..”

Discussions would be held with all stakeholders, especially the employees,” he said.Gunawardena said it was not the first time Sri Lanka had sought IMF assistance. It had received IMF funding four times between 1965 and 69, twice between 1971-74, four times between 1977 and 88, once in 1991, four times between 2001 and 2009 and finally in 2016.

“We have paid back all these loans,” he said.