Sujit Sanjaya Perera criticises JVP over price hikes

The National People’s Power (NPP) government, which previously led nationwide protests against fuel and gas price increases under past administrations, has now shamelessly raised electricity and gas prices by significant margins. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Kegalle District MP Sujit Sanjaya Perera made these remarks during a press conference held at the SJB headquarters today (07).

The MP stated that the government stole the people's votes by making numerous promises but has failed to improve the economy, enhance living standards, or reduce inflation despite being in power for over a year. He accused the administration of continuing to deceive the public while fuel, gas, and electricity costs have become unbearable.

Perera highlighted that while the current government promised to remove taxes on essential goods, including fuel, no such steps have been taken. He also claimed that the government uses social media to distort statements made by Opposition Leader Sajit Premadasa to mask its own incompetence.

Defending the Opposition Leader's track record, the MP noted that Premadasa took the initiative to rebuild Catholic churches destroyed in the Easter Sunday attacks and provided guidance to the then-government on managing the COVID-19 crisis. He further claimed it was Premadasa who first urged the previous administration to engage with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the bankruptcy of the country, a suggestion that was initially mocked but later followed by Ranil Wickremesinghe's government to stabilise the economy.