Sajith Premadasa challenges government over outdated poverty data

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the Sri Lankan government of using outdated information in a recent socio-economic report. He claims the report, produced by the Central Bank and the Department of Census and Statistics, relies on data from 2016 to 2019 for critical metrics such as household income, expenditure, poverty, and housing conditions.

Premadasa noted that while other sections of the report use more recent figures from 2023 to 2025, the sections regarding hardship and living standards lack updated assessments. He challenged the report's assertion that an individual could meet their needs for 30 days with Rs. 17,315.

Citing World Bank data, Premadasa stated the poverty line is approximately Rs. 2,724 per person per day, suggesting a poverty rate of 65.4% and noting that 33% of households face acute food insecurity. He has called for a revised report to be published before the November 12 budget deadline.