Colombo, April 5 (Facebook) – Sri Lankans have shown remarkable resilience through crisis after crisis.
Yet again, the ongoing Middle East conflict is severely impacting our economy — driving up fuel, energy, and electricity prices, which in turn has increased the cost of food and other essentials. This is happening at a time when the government is already imposing heavy taxes on individuals through high personal income tax and VAT.
I urge this government — which once strongly advocated for socialism and equality but has now shifted 180 degrees towards neoliberalism — to remember the importance of social equity.
Instead of blanket subsidies that benefit everyone (including high-net-worth individuals who can afford market prices), we should move towards targeted cash transfers to those who need it most. We already have the Aswasuma program in place. Let’s expand it to include a transitional relief category for families who were supported during the crisis but have since graduated.
This is the social market economy we envision for Sri Lanka — one that uses public funds efficiently while protecting the most vulnerable.
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