Government using youth arrests to distract from economy - Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa has alleged that the government is using the arrests of young people and anti-crime operations to divert public attention from mounting economic difficulties and its failure to fulfil election promises.

Addressing an SLPP divisional meeting in Kotte on July 9, Rajapaksa claimed that the government's policies had resulted in factory closures, job losses, a rising cost of living, and declining investor confidence, while accusing it of targeting the younger generation through law enforcement operations.

He further alleged that graduates who had been promised jobs before the election were instead met with police action when they sought employment after the government came to power.

Rajapaksa also claimed that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were struggling due to higher taxes, rising borrowing costs, and increasing production expenses, forcing many businesses to close.

He further alleged that foreign investors were losing confidence in Sri Lanka's stock market and that the tourism industry was facing mounting pressure without adequate government support.

Referring to the recent prison incident, Rajapaksa questioned the government's response, claiming that the Justice Minister had learned of the incident through Facebook and remained unaware of the situation for several hours.

He also criticised the government over rising electricity, fuel, and water charges, alleging that the burden of economic mismanagement was being passed on to the public while Colombo had become one of the region's most expensive cities to live in.

Rajapaksa said the government had failed to meet public expectations and urged it to provide relief to businesses, workers, and the tourism sector instead of imposing additional taxes.