Basil Rajapaksa’s entry into Parliament will not solve issues faced by people: SJB

Wednesday, 7 July 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SJB MPs J.C. Alawathuwala and Waruna Liyanage addressing the media yesterday

By Asiri Fernando

The entry of Basil Rajapaksa to Parliament will not offer relief or provide solutions for the problems the public have to endure, SJB MP J.C. Alawathuwala said yesterday.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian argued that promoting nepotism and not being sensitive to the problems faces by the masses were a clear indication of the Government’s priorities.

“The Government is trying to make the public believe that all the problems they are faced with will be solved if Basil Rajapaksa comes to Parliament. He was always part of the Government mechanism. He was the head of several task forces that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa initiated.

“His entry into the Parliament will not change anything. It is clear that this Government is only interested in improving the lives of the Rajapaksa family and their supporters,” he told journalists at the Opposition leader’s office, where he was joined by fellow SJB MP Waruna Liyanage.

Alawathuwala asked why the Government needed to bring someone already given a leadership role in a ‘Task Force’ into Parliament when the ruling party already has a two-thirds majority and the centralised power gained by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

“Does this mean that with all this power and control, the Government is accepting failure? Or is it simply a move to grab more power for one family?”

The Government needs to be sensitive to the plight of the people and listen to expert opinion, MP Alawathuwala opined. He claimed that the Government’s strict stance on the chemical fertiliser ban, and its stance on granting licenses for those suspected to be involved in the 2015 bond scam, were clear indications of the stubborn attitudes of the leadership and the priorities they hold.

Alawathuwala also charged that the Government was using the COVID-19 outbreak and ‘fake news’ as excuses to oppress critics.

“Today, law enforcement agencies are being politicised. When someone criticises Government policies on social media, the Police raid the critics. You can see this clearly in how the Police raided the home of a critic at night without warning. However, not much is done to stop the exploitation of children and sharing of child pornography online.”

The Opposition MP called child exploitation and trafficking a ‘cancer’ that must be removed from the community, claiming that a future SJB Government would act to depoliticise law enforcement agencies and ensure the proper implementation of law and order.

Alawathuwala also alleged that a recent comment by Highways Minister Johnston Fernando regarding the practice of killing a crow and hanging its feathers as a deterrent to others was a warning aimed at Government critics.

“Who was that warning meant for? Those who critique the Government? Farmers or health sector employees who are protesting? It is an intimidation tactic,” he said, stressing that the public should not be intimidated by such moves.