Govt. struggling to contain COVID-19: Eran

• SJB slams Govt. on high cost of living, shortage of essential items 

By Asiri Fernando 

The Government has failed to manage cost of living and the COVID-19 outbreak, SJB parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne charged yesterday, urging the Government to promptly deliver relief to those affected by COVID-19 and the resulting economic climate. 

Wickramaratne said the Government had failed to pass on significant benefits from the rapid decline in the price of oil in the international markets to the public when it was possible, claiming that such actions by the Government has contributed to a high cost of living for the public. 

“None of what the Government promised has materialised, what is the price of rice today, can you even find a coconut in the market today, let alone buy one?” Wickramaratne questioned. The Opposition MP said that low-income families and those who got by on a daily wage have been deeply impacted by the current situation. Citing the rising number of COVID-19 patients from many parts of the country, Wickramaratne said that the Government had failed to control the virus outbreak due to being distracted by consolidating power. 

“The Government only understand what ‘power hungry’ is and not what ‘hunger’ means. They don’t understand the hunger the ordinary man faces.” Wickramaratne said that the Government must provide relief to affected families and those in self-quarantine urgently, calling on the Government to acknowledge that the virus was in the community spread stage. 

The former State Minister of Finance announced three telephone numbers that the public can use to air their grievances to the Opposition. Wickramaratne stated that the SJB will do their best to find solutions to public requests with assistance from local Government, public sector, private sector and donors.