SJB reiterates threats to launch large scale anti-Government protests in January

• SJB Deputy National Organiser S.M. Marikkar claims January will be a crucial month for the people that will only increase their suffering 
• Says people will be left with no choice but to protest and SJB will give their leadership to these agitations 
• Expresses his suspicions if Government is still attempting to delay LG polls

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka’s main Opposition party, said it will launch large-scale protests in January against the current Government.  The Deputy National Organiser of the party Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar said the first month in 2023 will be crucial to the Sri Lankan public. 

“The people’s earnings will dwindle due to Ranil Wickremesinghe’s blood-sucking tax policy while parents are already struggling to purchase school items necessary for the new school year. Meanwhile, the Minister of Power is attempting to further burden the people by increasing electricity tariffs and threatening to impose 10-hour power cuts if not allowed,” he said. The MP said the SJB will bring people onto the streets as the people’s suffering will only worsen by then. 

The MP made these comments at a press conference held at the Opposition leader’s office in Colombo yesterday. 

“The middle class will begin to suffer. Parents will not be able to buy school items for their children. Those having two meals now will have barely enough to sustain themselves. The underprivileged will be disadvantaged due to the increase in electricity tariffs as a higher percentage will be charged to them. If the President and his ministers intend to act in this manner we will bring the people onto the streets in protest,” he said. 

The MP also expressed his suspicions about the Government declaring an additional holiday on Monday, questioning if it was an attempt to close down the Government printers, preventing the Election Commission from issuing a Gazette calling for election nominations. 

“Elections must be announced within the next two weeks. But we are hearing that there is an attempt to call for elections but not hold them, claiming the country is under an economic disaster situation,” he said.  Marikkar accused the Government of taking away the rights of the people including the right to life, speech and expression. “They have destroyed the democracy in the country, its economy and freedom. Now they are trying to destroy the people’s right to vote,” he noted. “The people will be left with no choice but to take to the streets. The SJB will lead these protests,” he added.