People should not be oppressed as move to stabilize State income: Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero emphasizes that oppressing people to stabilize State income should be condemned.

The Chief Congregant of Southern Sri Lanka for the Ramanna Sect, Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobitha Thero said that the public is witnessing the death of free health service of the Government, as the Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella has said that the public should be charged for medicines issued for free by the Government.

"This is the greatest sin committed by this Government at this time. What we are seeing is the death of free health. The people of this country now have neither the medicine nor ay money to buy the medicine," Ven. Thero said.

Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero said citing medical authorities that there is a shortage of more than 2,000 essential medicines.

He further stated that utility bills are due to increase for a second time, while other expenses and income tax of the public remains high. 

"People are now in a situation where they cannot live," Ven. Thero mentioned, adding that . The last president lost 15 billion in state revenue by reducing the sugar tax, while the country lost billions of revenue under the credit facilities. 

The Thero also added that the two state banks have suffered a loss of Rs. 400 billion due to cutting off debt, and mentioned that the country lost thousands of billions due to frauds like the central bank bond scam for which the current President is primarily responsible.

"We condemn this attempt to stabilize the government's income by oppressing the people. Those who are making alliances and are attempting to rise again are the same as those who ruled the nation for over 10-20 years. Were they able to nothing during their previous tenure?" Ven. Sobhitha Thero added.