'Government that came for the oppressed, now protecting the rich' – Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa says that national assets and the economy worth twice the country’s total domestic and foreign debt were destroyed in the past by the LTTE and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

Addressing a public meeting in Ampara, he said those who caused such severe damage to the country’s economy are now blaming the opposition.

Rajapaksa further alleged that the current government is attempting to shift blame for its failures by making various claims regarding the Easter Sunday attack.

He said it is clear to the public which political parties the lawyers who assisted those linked to the attack belong to, and who suppressed investigation files, adding that those individuals are now being given senior positions by the government.

He added that the government is currently trying to suppress public protests against what he described as false promises.

He further said the agriculture sector and farming community are in a helpless state, with no proper plan to provide fertilizer for the Maha season on time.

He noted that farmers are unable to sell their harvest, while small and medium-scale mill owners are struggling to repay bank loans and are being forced to shut down businesses.

Rajapaksa accused the government of prioritizing imports over local production and allowing only favoured business groups to benefit.

He claimed that due to these economic policies, vegetable, fruit, paddy and sugarcane farmers are now heavily burdened with debt.