Do Not Form Government Policies Based on False Data: Opposition Leader Sajith

16-May-2026

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has urged the government not to formulate public policies based on false data and misleading information, stating that statistics presented by the Department of Census and Statistics appear inconsistent with ground realities.

He made these remarks while speaking to the media in Tissamaharama on May 15.

Premadasa stated that for an organised, strong, and efficient public administration, policies must be developed based on accurate information. However, he said the current government does not appear to be doing so. He claimed that the data submitted by the Department, when compared with actual living conditions, does not reflect reality.

He pointed out that the Department had officially stated that a person requires only Rs. 16,990 per month to live as of March 2026. He questioned how a person could meet food and basic needs for 30 days with such an amount.

According to the figures, Rs. 18,000 was considered sufficient for Colombo district, Rs. 17,908 for Gampaha, and Rs. 17,520 for Kalutara. Premadasa said presenting such flawed figures at a time when the value of the rupee is rapidly declining is absurd.

He alleged that the government is using these inaccurate figures to determine the poverty line and distribute welfare benefits, resulting in genuinely affected citizens being excluded. He claimed that 30 to 40 percent of the population has now been pushed into poverty, with many lacking proper shelter or livelihoods, and struggling even to meet food requirements.

Premadasa urged the government to act with compassion and responsibility, abandon politics of hatred, and focus on all 22 million citizens. He said farmers, fishermen, and workers are severely affected by economic pressure, and even the middle class is now experiencing hardship.

He further stated that the government should stop acting as a “slave” to the International Monetary Fund and should modernise the Department of Census and Statistics to obtain accurate data. He stressed that authorities must recognise that declining rupee value leads to rising prices, and relief measures should be provided accordingly.

He also criticised the government for imposing maximum fuel taxes despite earlier promises to remove such taxes when in opposition. He noted that even countries like the United States have removed fuel taxes, and said Sri Lanka should follow suit. He called on the government to supply fuel at port import prices as promised during election campaigns, and to implement proper economic strategies immediately to prevent further depreciation of the rupee.