Failed UNP politicians have prospered under current Govt. : AKD

• Says people have suffered economically while UNP politicians rejected by the people are now well off
• Claims people are not feeling any positive change in their living standards despite Govt. claims of economic improvement
• Accuses President of having no plan to rebuild country other than by sale of Govt. assets 

NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake

National People’s Party (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said while the country’s people have suffered economically, failed United National Party (UNP) politicians have however prospered under the current Ranil Wickremesinghe Government. 

Addressing a party rally in Tangalle following a protest demanding the Government to hold elections, Dissanayake said failed and defeated UNP politicians such as Navin Dissanayake, Rosy Senanayake, Ashu Marasinghe and Saman Rathnapriya have gained positions and prospered. “UNP politicians who were sent home by the people have prospered now,” he said. 

“If the economy is getting better, people should feel a positive change in their living standards. They should have enough medicines, food, and other necessities. However, it’s important to note that instead many have lost their jobs and the apparel sector has declined by 20%,” he noted. 

Dissanayake accused the Government of avoiding elections and stated that the NPP would engage in street protests to demand the holding of elections. “The Government appears unprepared to conduct the elections, and there is no court ruling on the matter yet,” he observed. The NPP leader also accused the President of having no concrete plan to rebuild the country other than by selling state assets. 

The protest in Tangalle was the second of a series of protests organised by the party to urge the Government to hold Local Government polls immediately. The party has also planned protests in other main cities across the country including Anuradhapura and Gampaha.