Can anyone live on Rs. 6,000 for 30 days? – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

21-May-2026

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned whether anyone can survive on Rs. 16,000 per month, citing Department of Census and Statistics data indicating that a person requires that amount for 30 days.

Raising questions under Standing Order 27/2 in Parliament on May 19, he highlighted rising living costs, currency depreciation, income inequality, and economic stress on households.

He called for a review of poverty threshold indicators and questioned whether current statistical measures reflect real market conditions.

He also urged authorities to summon officials from the Statistics Department to review the methodology, stating that current figures appear unrealistic given present living costs.