Pointing out that the majority of the people use fans and refrigerators in households, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Geetha Kumarasinghe urged the Government and the Central Bank to consider amending the 100% cash deposit regulations on such items that need to be imported. Reminding people about the time when former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike rationed food and clothing, and all imports were halted, Kumarasinghe stated that at the rate the country is moving, such a situation may be an outcome. “Growing up, we were taught ‘A for Apple’. Yet, we did not know what an apple is,” Kumarasinghe remarked,She went on to note that foods such as apples and grapes are considered essential despite what some people might say, further questioning whether this is the future the people want for the future generations. In conclusion, she urged the Central Bank Governor to have some compassion and to reconsider the decision, or at the most, exclude some of the items on the list, so as to ease the pressure on the people of Sri Lanka who are currently in the midst of a pandemic.

Source: The Nation September 13, 2021 03:00 UTC