SJB’s Marikkar unveils Govt.’s ‘Top 10 fails’ list

• Alleges new Rajapaksa regime has failed to deliver on promised ‘Vistas of Prosperity’

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian and party Media Spokesman S.M. Marikkar yesterday unveiled a Government ‘Top 10 fails’ list compiled by the SJB, alleging that the new Rajapaksa regime has been unsuccessful in delivering the promises under the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ policy framework.

According to Marrikar, the list comprised of: 

1) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for failing in his leadership, 

2) Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for the failure of the economy and the Sri Lankan Rupee, 

3) Sports and Youth Minister Namal Rajapaksa for failing to halt the demise of Sri Lanka Cricket, 

4) Health Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi for failing to adequately handle the COVID-19 crisis,

5) Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris over the failure to ensure equitable online education,

6) Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage for failing to ensure food security, creating a fertiliser crisis with the rush to 100% organic, and creating a shortage of chemical fertiliser 

7) Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena for failing to stem the soaring cost of essential items, 

8) Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila over the unfair fuel price hike,

9) Shipping and Ports Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena for failing to prevent the ecological catastrophe caused by the MV X-Press Pearl, and 

10) Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera for failing to take action against the perpetrators of the 2019 April Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The SJB MP said that the promised ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ had not been delivered on two years on. Marikkar claimed that instead Government mismanagement had plunged the country deeper into an economic crisis.

“Firstly, the President promised a country that will be functional and progressive; that promise has not been reached,” Marikkar argued, adding that the state had up-to-now failed to charge anyone regarding the Easter Sunday Bombings of April 2019, while charges for the same incident had been filed in the United States. This, despite national security and bringing those behind the attack to face justice being a key election slogan for the ruling party. 

Marikkar also stated that a worsening debt crisis, plummeting State revenue and the depreciation of the rupee, indicated that the Finance Ministry had failed to enact the right policies.

“National debt is increasing; the rupee is dropping in value. What is going on? Further, this Government came into power charging that they will punish those involved in the Bond scam. However, today we see the opposite; those implicated in the scam are allowed to reopen their liquor distillery. The company in question owes billions of rupees to the State and other organisations. How is this possible?” MP Marikkar questioned.

He also blamed the Government for failing to effectively manage the COVID-19 outbreak, pointing out that the Health Minister did not heed expert medical advice and sought to promote unproven traditional medications and folk beliefs among the public instead.

“The Ministry didn’t listen to the experts and delayed buying COVID-19 vaccines on time. The people are suffering. Further, health authorities are not permitting places of worship to be open to the public. However, they have granted permission for spa and beauty salons to function. What kind of management is this?”

The SJB MP warned that ad hoc policy changes like the immediate ban on chemical fertiliser will have a devastating effect on the agriculture and export crop sector, with many in the industry already facing hardship. He opined that the change to organic fertiliser use, while commendable, needs to be phased in, allowing the industry to adjust.

“The Agriculture Minister boasted that during his tenure, not one grain of rice would be imported. Now, what has happened? We have to import. The Government with its fertiliser policy is pushing the country to a place where its food security will be compromised.”

Marikkar called on the Government to step down if it’s unable to deliver.