President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday noted that although there is a high cost of living prevailing in the country poverty has decreased by 33 percent from 2002 to 2007. The President stated that according to the latest statistics the poverty rate is at 15 percent which was 23 percent in 2002. Addressing the launch of the Central Bank Annual Report 2007 President Rajapaksa said, "Poverty has not reduced at such a rate in Sri Lanka in recent history. However the parties condemning the government are not prepared to speak about this.'