Govt. rejects allegations of political victimisation

• Say Govt. won’t sack employees hired by previous administration
• Alleges that previous Govt. has employed more public servants than required
• Chanaka says Premadasa has lost confidence of H’tota public

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday assured that jobs of those who were recruited during the previous administration would be secured, while rejecting Opposition claims of ongoing political victimisation. 

Speaking to media at the SLPP head office, MP D.V. Chanaka claimed that the Opposition circulated false news that the incumbent Government decided to terminate employment of those recruited before the Presidential Election.

“This Government does not seek revenge against the Opposition. Therefore no one will lose their job. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s vision is to develop the country and change the political culture of this country,” he stated. 

Chanaka claimed public institutes, which came under the preview of then-Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa, had recruited individuals exceeding the cadre requirement, which led to unnecessary managerial challenges. “There were instances where they have recruited more than 1000 individuals to fill vacancies available for only 40. Due to this decision, those who were recruited could not even find a place to sit,” he claimed, pointing out that the over-staffing of Government institutions leads to inefficiency and unnecessary overhead cost for the Government to bear. 

He claimed that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is reported to be contemplating contesting the forthcoming General Election in a different district, as he has lost the confidence of Hambantota public. The Opposition Leader was unable to deliver his promises to the public in Hambantota when he was the Housing Minister, which led to his popularity declining, Chanaka opined. 

“The Opposition Leader was a powerful minister for the past four and half years. However, he did very little when he was in office. Every decision was taken for their own political benefits. They did not carry out any sustainable development projects that would be beneficial to the economy,” he charged.

Recapping the projects carried out by the present Government during its first 100 days, Chanaka said the Government was able to lay the foundation for much-needed development projects. He argued that the existing governing structure created serious challenges to finding a balance between the President and the Prime Minister due to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

“Only President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa are capable of holding their respective positions as the 19th Amendment creates a rift between the President and Prime Minister. However, after the election we will be able to address these issues and find a balance between these two positions,” he said.