Claim That Vehicle Prices Will Not Rise is Laughable: Opposition Leader Sajith

18-May-2026

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that it is laughable for the Deputy Finance Minister to claim that vehicle prices will not increase following the imposition of a 50% surcharge on vehicle imports.

He made these remarks while speaking to the media in the Tissamaharama area on May 16.

He further said that although government ministers had promised during the last General Election campaign to provide a Vitz vehicle for Rs. 1.2 million, the government has now taken steps to impose a 50% surcharge on vehicle imports.

He urged the government to stop presenting such humorous stories to the country and instead take proper steps to manage the economy in the interest of the people. He stated that responsibility must be borne by the government led by the President and its 159 Members of Parliament.

Premadasa claimed that as the value of the rupee against the dollar is declining at an unprecedented level, inflation is rising, prices and expenses are increasing, and the overall livelihood of the people is being severely disrupted.

He stated that essential measures such as increasing export earnings, improving tourism, boosting foreign remittances and attracting foreign direct investment are necessary to stabilise the economy and prevent further depreciation of the rupee. However, he alleged that the President, the Finance Minister and the government lack basic understanding and knowledge of economic policy, and that daily wrong economic decisions are causing severe harm to the public.

He further said that when the war tensions between Israel, the United States and Iran began, the government should have prepared for the possible economic challenges. Had there been proper planning, the rupee would not have fallen so rapidly.

He also stressed that relief measures provided to the people should not be reduced but strengthened to ease public pressure. Due to rising prices, people are facing livelihood hardships and are unable to provide even nutritious food and a healthy life for their children.

Premadasa further stated that foreign reserves must be maintained at a strong level. He alleged that the government has failed to enter into a new agreement on debt restructuring with the IMF, resulting in the country being forced to repay billions of dollars annually. Therefore, he urged the government to immediately intervene to control the rupee’s depreciation and provide maximum support to the public.