Government Having Second Thoughts About Presidential Poll – UNP
Gayantha Karunatileke
By Cassandra Mascarenhas
The United National Party (UNP) last week declared that the government was now indecisive over holding a presidential election amidst reports that a senior member of the armed forces was planning to contest the election.
Addressing a news conference last week, UNP MP Gayantha Karunatileke also criticised government ministers for putting their duties aside to concentrate on election related activities.
“The ministers cannot put aside their duties and campaign for elections during these difficult times just because the government decided to hold elections throughout the year. Nothing was done for the good of the country but only for the good of one family resulting in massive costs being incurred, rules being broken and elections not being conducted in a proper manner,” he claimed.
While stressing that the country’s economy was declining rapidly amidst a soaring cost of living, Karunatileke said “Despite all these issues, cabinet ministers still continue to enjoy benefits and privileges while a majority of the population suffers from pressing problems such as the lack of proper housing and unemployment,”
According to him, the government’s lack of interest on the GSP+ stems from the fact that they cannot go forward and talk to the EU and other countries due to human rights violations and lack of media freedom. As a result the country is likely to lose US$ 150 million in revenue in addition to thousands losing their jobs and a further decline of the already struggling economy.
The UNP MP also accused the government of not caring for the security forces, both the injured and dead.
He claimed that families who have lost their kith and kin in the war have not been compensated and the soldiers were leading very pathetic and difficult lives.
“The Nation Building Levy was increased from 1% to 3% in order to provide for armed forces but the government is swindling this and nothing is channeled to the forces,” Karunatileke claimed.
