SLPP urges EC to reconsider postponement of graduate training

• Argues appointments given before dissolution of Parliament
• Claims no politics involved when giving appointments

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday requested the Election Commission (EC) to reconsider the decision to postpone the training program for over 40,000 graduates who were given appointment letters days before the dissolution of Parliament. 

Following the instructions by the EC, the Public Administration Ministry informed that the training programs for graduates would commence either on 4 or 11 May, and also said the exact date would be decided later.

Speaking at the SLPP Head Office, former MP Kanaka Herath said the appointments were given before the dissolution of Parliament and argued that therefore the postponing the training should be reconsidered by the EC.

“The training program for graduates is not a political move. It was an election promise of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This is a program to give employment opportunities to all unemployed graduates in the country,” he said. 

Herath argued that the training would be given to those who applied and met required criteria. He said no one was selected based on the political party they support and insisted the selection was conducted by the Presidential Secretariat. “All applicants sent their applications to the Presidential Secretariat and there was no political involvement. Those who hold different political views from us also got selected for training, which indicates that this was done in good faith,” he argued. 

He alleged that certain members of the Opposition used the unemployed graduates for their political gain but failed to provide employment opportunities.

“The previous administration promised to give employment opportunities to unemployed graduates but failed to deliver on their promise. Now they are sabotaging our effort to provide employment opportunities to graduates.” 

Meanwhile, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who met the heads of media institutions on Wednesday, defended the decision to go ahead with the training during the election period, saying appointments were made before Parliament was dissolved. 

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena also assured that the payment of Rs. 20,000 during the training period would be made to those who had been selected for the training program.