United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said that although the Government says that they do not have dollars to import essential food items, dollars have been provided for Ministers and Parliamentarians to go abroad with their families for the Christmas holidays.
The UNP General Secretary was speaking to the media yesterday (28).
He said the present Government ruined the country’s economy. They said that they do not have dollars to import essential food items required by the people. However, the Ministers and Parliamentarians have gone abroad in hoards and are enjoying themselves during the festive season.
“Where did they get the dollars to enjoy themselves thus? There are no dollars to import a packet of milk powder for the children in the country. There are no dollars to get medications for patients. But, there are enough and more dollars for Ministers and Parliamentarians together with their families to go abroad for enjoyment. When the Rajapaksa’s came into power, they obtained loans continuously and the country’s economy collapsed. When a Leftist Government led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was in power in the early 1970’s, the people had to live with hunger. Such an era has dawned again,” Range Bandara said.
“The environment in the Puttalam District is deteriorating. Government officials acting under the leadership of certain State Ministers are handing out permits for pebbles without any control whatsoever in Mahakumbukkadawala, Madurankuliya, Anamaduwa etc. Every Saturday, the owners of pebble pits visit a certain State Minister and hand over their alleged payments. They get to work at collecting pebbles the next week only if they make their offering. Our Government established Commissions. We had ensured that Government officials could carry out their duties with respect,” the UNP General Secretary said.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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