Suppression will not provide solutions to people: SJB

• Blames PMD for attempting to divert attention from real issue to different one
• Says it is unfortunate Govt. fails to comprehend message given by public by obstructing roads, events
• Govt. shows no sympathy towards its people, but continue to politicise matter by claiming ‘extremist activity’

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday said the protests at Mirihana and Jubilee Post is an explosion of the frustration and suffering of the people due to the prevailing situation in the country, and charged the President’s Media Division (PMD) was attempting to divert attention from the real problem to a different direction. 

In a statement issued by the Main Opposition, it added that the people’s protests are not aimed at driving towards anarchy, but that the President and the current Government had already dragged the country towards the threshold of anarchy. 

The release signed by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara said the Government has still failed to provide solutions or a plan to solve the lack of fuel, gas and electricity, and it was dragging its feet on these critical matters.

It also added that it was the Indian Foreign Secretary that was providing solutions to the fuel crisis and the problems faced by the Peradeniya Hospital, whilst local ministers have failed to provide answers nor face the people. 

He said it was unfortunate the Government fails to comprehend the message given by the public by obstructing roads and events, stating that people from all walks of life and political parties had joined these protests due to the prevalent situation. 

In addition, it was pointed out that if the Government shows no sympathy towards its people and continue to politicise the matter by claiming ‘extremist activity’, the future of this country would only become bleaker. 

The SJB also said this current crisis cannot be solved by suppression and manipulation, and called on the Government to find immediate steps to the present crisis.