IDPs left to face harsh conditions in thick jungles

Govt. trapped in major financial quagmire: UNP UNP parliamentarian Harsha de Silva today insisted that the government was facing a major crisis because it has got its priorities mixed up. Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, he alleged that instead of cutting down on unnecessary expenses the government cut down on vital expenses in order to bridge the budget deficit. "It allocates more money on unnecessary things such as developing the roads and tiling the pavements than the allocation on important sectors like higher education. He revealed that the government had cut down on the Capital expenditure of the Higher education by 47% in 2011 but had allocated more on roads and tiling the pavements which was of less priority," he said. Mr. de Silva said even though the government was bragging about a free education in the country, people had spent more than the amount spent on education by the government to receive education. He further said the economic progress in the country had reduced drastically than what it was during the time of the war. The budget deficit had been increasing year by year. Mr. de Silva said the estimated budget deficit was 6.2% for this year but within the first six months it reached 5.67%, with six more months to go. It is clear that within the next three months electricity bills, fuel prices and levies on special commodities would increase, he said. (Ajith Siriwardana) Rs.2bn approved for Military uniforms The cabinet has approved 2 Billion rupees for the purchase of uniform material required for the military. The approval was granted after a proposal was made to this effect by the President as the Minister of Defense and urban Development, to the cabinet, cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said. The Uniforms are to be purchased for the Tri service personnel, Police, STF, Department of Civil Security and the National cadet Corps personnel. The cabinet has also approved over Rs. 4000 million for the construction of a ten storey state of the art hospital for the Army. Commenting on the rationale behind the decision Rambukwella said that it is the duty of the government to give soldiers and their families the best in healthcare. IDPs left to face harsh conditions in thick jungles