Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has betrayed the people who reposed faith in him by opposing the Vote on Account which the government brought to grant many benefits to the masses, said veteran Leftist D.E.W. Gunasekera.
Addressing a press briefing at the N.M Perera Centre on Monday, he said that the previous government purposely did not present a budget for 2020 knowing that they will be defeated.
“Their intention was to block the next government fullfilling its duties. After 72 years, Sajith Premadsa did not vote in favour of the Vote on Account, breaking a long tradition of the Opposition leader doing so. He said that he will not agree to the loan limitations, but he agrees with the development section. But there is a huge amount of loans obtained even by his ministry. We are having international loans and local loans to be paid,” he added.
Gunasekera said that moreover when Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was the Opposition leader, he voted in favour of any proposal that was presented for the benefit of the public. “Mahinda Rajapaksa voted in favour of the constitutional proposals brought by the government in 2015, with the sole idea of benefitting the public.”
He also added that the public must think wisely before casting their votes in the General Election as the Maithri – Ranil fiasco had dragged the country down. “If the same situation occurs, the country will again face problems. Even Archbishop Malcolm, Cardinal Ranjith said that people must re-think before voting to avoid the Maithri – Ranil fiasco again.”
General Secretary of the Democratic Left Front Vasudeva Nanayakkara also speaking at the press conference stated that they are keeping a close watch on the decisions taken by the government regarding the tax concessions given to the people and the profits of the businessmen.
“People question us as to whether the government is silent on the increase in prices of foodstuffs. Commodity prices are rising. The reason for this is the devaluation of the rupee or the rise in the cost of production. It is no wonder that commodity prices soar. We know that it is simply a way to increase profits. Electricity and water bills have not gone up.”
“The prices of these items are increased solely for the purpose of making a profit, without increasing any of these factors. We have a responsibility as a government and cannot wait silently. We have to intervene. We have regulated the prices of red onions. The government is preparing to launch a programme for this,” Nanayakkara said.
He also mentioned that there is no fertilizer shortage in the country and steps have been taken to ensure this for the Yala season. “We had to face a fertilizer shortage because the previous government has not paid the fertilizer companies on time. With the collaboration of two local fertilizer companies, steps have been taken to meet the fertilizer needed by the next season,” Nanayakkara said.
from daily news