The statistics office had reported a gross domestic product (GDP) growth estimate of around half a percentage point higher than that generated by the central bank.
Though the discrepancy was easily explained - as coming from different statistical models of the economy from different base years- the Central Bank number was suddenly suppressed without attempting to reconcile the two data series, firing public distrust in government numbers.
Not making up
The strong growth numbers, above the long-term trend, has added fuel to the fire, as they are in sharp contrast to what ordinary people, ravaged by high inflation, and businesses, ravaged by high interest rates and falling profits, feel on the ground.
"We use information we have received, we are not making up data (thorathuru hadala newei)," Nal