We are worse than Sri Lanka, says National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad.

He told party supporters in Nadi recently that the burden of government debt for Fijians was far worse than the South Asian country.

“People have warned us we might be heading towards Sri Lanka, but on one indicator we are worse than Sri Lanka,” Prof Prasad said.

“Sri Lanka’s population is 22 million. Their debt level is $US50 billion, equivalent to $F100 billion.

“When you look at per-capita debt, which means total debt divided by every individual man, woman and child, for Sri Lanka if you take that $100 billion and divide it by 22 million (people), it comes to about $4500.

“Our debt level is heading towards $9 billion this year and our population is about 900,000.

“If you divide that, we will have a debt burden of about $10,000 on each individual head in this country.

“That’s worse than Sri Lanka.”

Prof Prasad said despite the Government’s insistence that Fiji’s poverty rate has decreased, experts had concluded half of the country was poor.

“The figures are showing us that right now the poverty level in this country is about 50 per cent.

“Fifty per cent of people in this country are struggling to put food on the table or to make ends meet.”

Prof Prasad said with The People’s Alliance party, the NFP was willing to work with every stakeholder to improve Fiji’s economy.

“We have travelled around the country, both Mr Rabuka and I, and we are talking to every sector of the community, and all of them are giving this very clear message that they need a change.

“That change they can see within The People’s Alliance and the NFP partnership.”