The government has to settle debts of about Rs.1,000 billion to external power suppliers, contractors and public and private banks, MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

According to the information received, the MP said the government owes about Rs.100 billion to the external electricity suppliers who supplied electricity to the Ceylon Electricity Board and about Rs.300 billion to the contractors.

The remaining amount of Rs.600 billion is to be paid to the local banks. The government had assured that the amount allocated by these banks to provide loan concessions to the hotel sector and many other sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic will be settled later.