Cannot support Govt’s duplicitous acts, says Marikkar

MP S.M Marikkar 

•  Declines President’s invitation to join hands with the Government 
•  Says SJB is not a traditional opposition and continues to stand in support of SL 
•  Claims Opposition is unable to support dictatorial acts of President and Govt. 

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M Marikkar on Wednesday  declined President Ranil Wickremesinghe's invitation for the Opposition to collaborate with the Government, citing their inability to support the numerous deceitful actions of the Government.

“We are not a traditional opposition.  If we are, we would have appealed to the IMF and the World Bank to withhold their support for the Sri Lankan Government,” he said. 

The MP emphasised that the Opposition stands in support of the country, and their disagreements with the President are rooted in policy matters.

“The Government claims we are in a crisis. But when IMF officials visited Sri Lanka the Finance Minister was in Germany while the Ministry Secretary was in Egypt. The officials were left to meet the President’s Chief of Staff who has no mandate,” he noted.

According to Marikkar, the Government expects the Opposition to support it in its many deceitful actions. He said when the IMF required Sri Lanka to stop printing currency the Government however self imposed a grace period of six months to complete the action. “Can we support such duplicitous actions?” Marikkar asked. 

“As a responsible Opposition we have continued to request the IMF and the World Bank to support the country’s people,” he noted. 

Marikkar said the Government is continuing in its efforts to crack down on dissent through new legislations and that the Opposition is not able to support such undemocratic actions. “Are we expected to support such dictatorial acts?” he asked.