SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa has accused the Government of suppressing opposition political forces, civil organisations, voluntary groups and the Maha Sangha while moving the country towards an authoritarian system. Addressing a political gathering, Rajapaksa alleged that the Government was increasingly blaming the opposition, particularly himself, for problems facing the country instead of addressing its own failures. He said changing tax policies were placing severe economic pressure on ordinary workers, daily-income earners and salaried employees, while concessions were being granted to selected groups. Rajapaksa also criticised the Government’s claims about having trillions of rupees in state accounts, saying its responsibility should be to create entrepreneurs and citizens capable of generating wealth rather than simply highlighting state funds. Referring to the recent hacking of state funds, he alleged that the public was ultimately being made to bear the cost of such failures through increased taxation. He also raised concerns over alleged losses linked to coal procurement and criticised increases in electricity costs, which he said were being attributed to the crisis in the Middle East. Questioning whether action had been taken against those responsible for allegedly importing substandard coal, Rajapaksa accused the Government of focusing on opposition figures instead of investigating alleged wrongdoing within its own administration. Commenting on proposals to extend the retirement age or tenure of judges, he said such measures would not resolve the underlying pressures facing the judicial system. He argued that judicial vacancies should be filled, additional courts established and expert reports provided promptly to reduce delays in the justice system. Rajapaksa also raised concerns over overcrowding in prisons, claiming that around 45,000 inmates were being held in facilities designed to accommodate approximately 11,000 people. He alleged that successive governments had failed to adequately address prison infrastructure and questioned the Government’s response to the situation. The SLPP National Organiser also recalled previous statements by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, made while he was in the opposition, calling for governments to be held accountable during similar incidents. (Newswire) The post Namal accuses Government of shifting blame to opposition over its failures appeared first on Newswire.
