UCA News
Contribute

Sri Lankan Buddhist monks call for relief for suffering people

Government urged to be sensitive to the people's plight as the nation's economic crisis worsens
Sri Lankan Buddhist monks call for relief for suffering people

Sri Lankan people stand in a long queue to buy kerosene oil for home use at a petrol station in Colombo on March 21. (Photo: AFP)

Published: March 22, 2022 09:20 AM GMT
Updated: March 22, 2022 09:46 AM GMT

Sri Lanka’s most senior Buddhist prelates have urged the government to formulate a national policy to provide relief to people affected by the economic crisis in the country.

Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera of the Malwatta chapter and Ven. Warakagoda Gnanaratana Thera of the Asgiriya chapter have called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to convene a conference of local and foreign scholars to devise a plan for sustainable development.

“Restructure public debt, reduce the cost of living, provide relief to low-income earners, formulate a sustainable plan to prevent waste, corruption and misuse of resources,” said the chief monks in a letter to the president on March 21.

They further underlined the need for enforcing the law against swindlers who artificially create a shortage of essential commodities for ill-gotten financial gains in the face of the economic crisis.

Sri Lanka’s inflation rate has touched 17.5 percent, the highest ever recorded in the history of the island nation. The country has requested a US$2.5 billion loan from China.

Long queues have formed nationwide for filling petrol and diesel or buying daily essentials like milk powder, medicines and food items amid crippling shortages and daily power cuts.

The government said it had also written to the International Monetary Fund seeking technical support to manage the economic crisis

Canada and the United Kingdom have warned their citizens about the dire economic situation even as military troops were deployed at fuel stations and on the streets to ensure calm.

The prelates commended President Rajapaksa for his visionary work for the security and sovereignty of the country but emphasized the need for the full commitment of all members of parliament to build the country economically.

They further called for being sensitive to the people’s plight at the time of the disaster, regardless of political party affiliations.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Kingsley Ratnayake denied reports circulating on social media that President Rajapaksa is considering resigning.

The president has appointed an advisory committee to assist the National Economic Council, which sought to “immediately appoint a technical team to formulate programs proposing international financial assistance.”

The government said it had also written to the International Monetary Fund seeking technical support to manage the economic crisis.

Thousands of people have been protesting outside the president's office for the past couple of weeks demanding that the government either find solutions to the deepening crisis or give up power.

A Catholic nun who did not want to be named said the country is struggling to pay for imports with not much foreign currency left in the economy. "We have elected corrupt and self-serving politicians as our leaders,” she said.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
comment

Share your comments

1 Comments on this Story
JOE DS
Sad ! Praying...... Jesus have mercy.
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia