Data defends MP Wickramaratne on defence budget
When considering the Ministry of Defence, we spent 7% of the total budget for 2022 on it [Ministry of Defence] ... 60% of that goes to pay wages…Sri Lanka is one out of ten countries that has the greatest number of soldiers per 100 citizens. If we take 200 countries, we are in the first 10. Sri Lanka is a country that has around 1.5 soldiers for every 100 citizens.
Parliament YouTube page | November 14, 2023
Posted on: 26 January, 2024
True
MP Alawathuwala sheds light on the plight of food expenses
In 2019, the expenditure on the food of an individual living in Colombo or elsewhere in Sri Lanka was between Rs. 6,000 and Rs. 6,500. By 2023, this has increased to between Rs.16,000 to Rs.17,000. That is, the expenditure has tripled.
NewsFirst | November 7, 2023
Posted on: 18 January, 2024
Partly True
MP Wickramaratne falls short on example of revenue falling short
The government, despite taking the path of revenue-based stabilisation, has fallen significantly short of its targets. For instance, excise revenues have fallen short by approximately 43%, with collection at Rs.125 billion as of September [2023], compared to the required Rs. 214 billion.
Sunday Observer | November 5, 2023
Posted on: 12 January, 2024
Partly True
MP de Silva poor on the interpretation of the poor
The World Bank states that the poverty level which was at 13% in 2019 has by today, increased to at least 25%. The multidimensional Poverty Vulnerability of Oxford University and UNDP (sic) states that when considering education, health, and the economy altogether, 12.5 million out of the 21 million in our country, [that is] more than 56%, can be categorised as poor.
Parliament of Sri Lanka | November 15, 2023
Posted on: 14 December, 2023
Partly True
AKD overblows RW’s yahapalanaya debt
When Ranil Wickremesinghe came to power in 2015, our debt was LKR 8.5 trillion […] In 2020, the country’s debt […] stood at LKR 15 trillion […] Approximately, Ranil’s five years put the country more in debt by LKR 6.5 trillion.
JVP Sri Lanka Facebook page | October 22, 2023
Posted on: 7 December, 2023
False
MP Karunatilleke fails test on student-to-staff ratios
Although the number of academic staff is dwindling [in recent months], the annual intake of students at universities has doubled since 2017
NewsFirst | October 19, 2023
Posted on: 30 November, 2023
False
Presidential advisor fumbles stipulations on LG election delays
[…] all the local government elections held after 1991 have been postponed without being held within the stipulated time. […]
Lankadeepa | October 25, 2023
Posted on: 23 November, 2023
False
President Wickremesinghe says money printing is prevented
We put the Central Bank there [in charge] without meddling in it. Henceforth, according to the law, we won’t be able to print money. We have lost our ability to borrow (obtain loans) from the Bank of Ceylon and the Peoples' Bank. Although it is tough, we have taken these steps to control inflation.
Rupavahini News | October 21, 2023
Posted on: 9 November, 2023
True
MP Godahewa off target on problem with tax targets
[…] The expected tax income for 2023 is Rs 3,130 billion [a 70% increase from 2022]. It is not something practical. Since the tax net is not functioning properly, the tax burden will fall on the same people who paid taxes in 2022. What has actually happened is that the income the taxpayers have to spend for their needs has reduced by 70%.
Aruna | October 9, 2023
Posted on: 26 October, 2023
False
MP Perera correct on industrial sector not so much on exports
…the exports have decreased by 19.5 %. […] in the first quarter of 2023, the industrial sector has collapsed by 23.4%.
Youtube page of Parliament of Sri Lanka | August 23, 2023
Posted on: 20 October, 2023
Partly True