Godahewa calls for change in govt. at Viyathmaga Kurunegala event

Viyathmaga held its latest public event in Kurunegala with a large number of people participating.

Titled 'Country and Tomorrow' the event was held at the Kandian Reach Hotel and was organised by the Kurunegala committee.

Speaking at the event Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said the seminars which were chaired by Gotabaya Rajapaksa were being held amidst much constraints. However, despite these obstacles, he said measures were being taken to educate the people who were thirsty for knowledge. 

Following are excerpts of his address:

“The country is in a very confused state. There is a leadership crisis in the country. The thirty-year war ended in 2009. By 2014, our country was one of the world's most noticed countries. But unfortunately today the reality of our country is different. The economic growth rate in 2014 was 7.3%. At that time, the Central Bank predicted that it would be able to maintain 8% over the remaining five years. If that were the case, the economy should have been $ 127 billion. But that was not the case. The pace of economic development has collapsed year after year. There is a 3% economic growth rate.

“This Government was brought to power with great hopes. But they were not brought to power by rulers who could rule a country. What was needed was the ousting of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government. They have no plans. They focused on the five years and the next five years. Political opponents were suppressed. As a result the country was weakened. The public service was paralysed. Public officials refrained from making decisions. That is why this public service cannot do anything. The main theme of the incumbent Government is the corruption of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government. It created the opinion that the Government was very corrupt. People accepted them. Lamborghini, talked about Dubai accounts, golden horses. It came to power saying that corruption would destroy good governance.

“But these people are different. It was not openly stolen by the ‘good’ Government. White collars were stolen. Bonds were stolen within 50 days. A very complex theft. The ordinary people of the country cannot understand them. The first theft is Rs. 280 million. Also, the foreign workers had to pay only about $ 60 to the Government before they came to power. The insurance, which was obtained from three companies, was converted into a single agency, to 100 dollars, and 40 dollars was exploited by innocent foreign workers. The Mahapola project was stolen. The Budget was used to steal. There are many other white collar thefts.

“In March there was a power crisis. Power was cut for several hours a day. A Turkish ship brought a solution to the power crisis. There is a great mafia behind this. Was there a power cut during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime? The former Government built the Kerawalapitiya, Upper Kotmale and Norochcholai power stations. After 2015 all power plant designs were cancelled. It was stolen through that cancellation. Electricity was purchased according to the requirement. Emergency electricity was lost without tenders. We need to buy 720 MW of 2019. Now the Government pays double and purchases electricity. Who pays for it? The people of this country.

“Local and foreign investors do not believe in this Government. The mirror of the country's economy is the stock market. Investor's confidence is only driven by the rise of the stock market. This Government brought down the share market. The stock market soared during the Rajapaksa regime. This Government is talking about past Government debt. During the Rajapaksa era, the country obtained loans and did things for the country. The war is over. The country was developed. Ports, airports and power plants have developed. You can see what they did. In 2005 the country's total debt was Rs. 2,200 billion. Borrowed Rs. 5,900 billion in nine years. But from 2014 to the end of 2018, Rs. 6,600 billion has been borrowed. But is there any development? Taxes will be levied from the public to increase debts.

“There is no loss to the country from Avant-Garde. If so, it is because of hypocrisy. Avant-Garde is a business that has been set up by the Somali pirates. Billions of ships came to the country by keeping their weapons safe. A large number of retired security personnel were given employment. The businesses of our country have been destroyed. How can we move forward as a country? Now there's talk about garbage. Some say it was 2012. The responsibility should be with the relevant company. The law cannot survive. However, it is the past Government that copies these errors. The Government is closing down its allegations against the previous government. “After the war, we lived in pride. There is no pride in our country now. Rulers have become slaves of foreign leaders. Ready to kneel in front of any country if you get something. It is because of this lowliness that our country is subject to foreign countries. If you give the money, the mother sells the apple. Today we have become a slave in America. America has never looked at our country before. The country's fate for the signing of these agreements is very dangerous. We had a proper government before. We need not continue to talk about this reality.  “This Government should be changed. The Government needs to change and create an environment where people can live. Every citizen living in the country should create a secure environment, a future and an income. A future government will create a people centric economic plan. The time has come for all to come together to hand over the country to such a talented leadership.”