JVP says Govt. has failed to address issues faced by the people in the North

Monday, 7 March 2011 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday said the government has failed to improve the living standards of the conflict-affected people in the North.

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told a press conference that the government has not addressed the issues faced by these people.

He said that no practical measures have been taken to address the immediate issues faced by the people in the former war torn areas.

He observed that 22 months after the war has ended the people in the North still lacked basic facilities.

Silva also asked the government to handover to its original owners 1,202 houses that were acquired during the war in the North.

He added that steps should be taken to establish a complete civil administration in the North.

However, international humanitarian agencies and government delegations including the United States have commended the post-war progress made by the Sri Lankan governments in rehabilitation and reconstruction of the North and East.

Raps Mervyn’s statement on banning certain vegetables

The statement made by a Sri Lankan government minister that certain vegetables would be banned in his electorate of Kelaniya has been criticised by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

JVP Propaganda Secretary and parliamentarian Vijitha Herath has told a public rally that there was one law being implemented in the Kelaniya area and another in the other parts of the country.

Referring to a statement made by the government member Mervyn Silva that certain vegetables will not be sold in the Kelaniya area after 1 April in order to encourage home gardening; Herath has said it was a dangerous situation.

He has said the trend could spread to other parts of the country.

According to Herath, action needed to be taken against such situations.

Minister Silva is well-known for his controversial statements and actions. Last year, the Minister tied a Samurdhi officer to a tree for failing to be present at a dengue control meeting.