Marikkar questions Govt. expense on pageantry; year of broken promises

By Darshana Abayasingha

Main Opposition SJB Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar yesterday questioned the Government’s lavish spending on pageantry for the country’s Independence Day amidst severe crisis and alleged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is marking a year of broken promises since the last ceremony.

SJB Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar

Addressing journalists, MP Marikkar said the President alongside his Government had failed to meet any of the promises made during the Independence Day speech last year.

Marikkar recalled that during his speech at the 73rd Anniversary of Independence last year, the President pledged to apprehend those responsible for the bond scam, the Easter Sunday attacks and not offer any special privileges to individuals and businesses that had supported him during the election.

The SJB MP stated that one year down the line, none of these promises have been met, and the Government was instead engaged in wasteful indulgence for Independence Day events this year, when the country and its people are struggling due to the throes of the country’s worst ever economic crisis and growing incidence of COVID-19 pandemic.

Marikkar also charged that during the past year the Government has brought the economy down to its knees due to mismanagement including the fertiliser scandal, which is leading to food scarcity amidst concerns regarding power cuts. He questioned the need and purpose behind lavish expenses for the 74th Independence Day events in the midst of this crisis, and asked if it were done to pander to the whims of the ruling family.

“There is no doubt Independence Day must be celebrated with pride and dignity. But is there a need for all this pageantry at a time when the country and its people are struggling? When the Government cannot keep to its promises made last year, does it need to spend so much money to utter more lies?” Marikkar questioned.

The SJB MP remarked that there is no unison within the Government as different ministers and departments make contradictory statements, especially with regard to seeking support of the IMF to turn around the country’s debt. 

Marikkar said it was irresponsible for the Finance Minister to allegedly state to a national newspaper that the country bought weapons from North Korea using black market dollars, and asked if the Central Bank Governor is so adamant to not reschedule Sri Lanka’s facilities and how he plans to finance the debt.

He remarked the Opposition is ready to support any meaningful action by the Government to find solutions to the burning issues faced by the nation. Marikkar charged that much is being made out of the credit lines offered by India and Pakistan to purchase fuel and essential medicines, and averred that these sums are inadequate to obtain necessary stocks for more than two months.