NPP accuses Govt. of attempting to curb dissent through new laws

• Says Govt. failing to address core issues are curtailing people’s rights to stifle dissent 
• Claims it is endangering fundamental rights through enactment of draconian laws 
• Urges Govt. to withdraw much debated ATA and Online Safety Bill

National People’s Power (NPP) MP Vijitha Herath yesterday accused the Government of attempting to bring in repressive laws to curb dissent owing to the current cost of living crisis. 

“The Ranil-Rajapaksa Government acting on the instructions of the IMF has now proposed yet another increase of electricity tariffs. In August last year, the tariff was increased by 250%. But the Government is still not satisfied. The Government claimed to have many diplomatic ties but in reality, the only solution has been to burden the people,” he alleged. 

The MP said that while the core issues remain unresolved, the Government, unable to effectively address them, is attempting to curtail the fundamental rights of the people and is introducing legislation to restrict social media platforms that citizens use to express their grievances and dissent against the Government.

He further claimed that the newly proposed Anti-Terror law is an effort to forcefully stifle individuals who would dare to protest against these actions of the Government.

The MP pointed out that the Government is directly endangering the rights of the people through the enactment of new laws and indirectly influencing the judiciary, as exemplified by the recent resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanaraja. “The Government must withdraw the proposed oppressive Anti-Terror and Social Media laws,” he said.