‘Government has forgotten problems of the people’

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader and Member of Parliament Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday the government has forgotten the problems of the people as a result of the power struggle between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Addressing a media briefing held at the party’s headquarters in Pelawatte, Battaramulla, he said the government has a responsibility and a duty towards the country’s people. However, after the local government polls, both President and Prime Minister have forgotten the problems faced by ordinary people and are fighting to consolidate their respective power bases. Now, there is anarchy in the country. The economy is really chaotic, he said.

Foreign direct investment is not coming in as the rupee has depreciated. There are over 50,000 undergraduates without jobs. Consumers are helpless due to skyrocketing prices of essential food, but the rulers of the country are constantly working to consolidate their power without providing solutions to the problems faced by the people,” Dissanayake said. “Even though the people have taught a good lesson to the government at the recent election, rulers are still not thinking about the problems faced by the people.’’

‘‘Although the paddy harvesting season has begun, there is still no proper mechanism to purchase paddy from the farmers. Both the President and the Prime Minister are attacking each other by forgetting the problems of the people.”

“Although the government promised to do an effective Cabinet reshuffle for the benefit of the people and the country, this is an attempt to please each other.

If the rulers further forget to provide solutions to the people’s problems, we will launch massive public agitation campaign in the near future,” he said.

He further said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been accused of shielding corrupted individuals.

“We will not extend our support for Ranil Wickremesinghe to continue in the Prime Minister’s

post any longer. We will also not join hands with any party in Parliament, but will remain independent,” he said.