Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the country is undergoing a severe economic crisis and the ruling party and its allies must be held responsible in this regard.
The SJB leader also said that the country cannot be economically developed when responsible officials are living in luxuries ignoring the plight of the down-trodden.
The Opposition Leader was addressing a media briefing after visiting Malwatta Chapter Nayaka Thera the most Ven. Thibbotowawe Sri Sumangala Thera and the Asgiriya Chapter Nayaka Thera Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana Thera.
Opposition Leader Premadasa also said that Cabinet reshuffles will not resolve economic crisis when there are long queues of people to buy fuel and gas all over the country.
Opposition Leader Premadasa also said that the people are clamouring for fuel and gas but not for Cabinet reshuffles.
The Opposition Leader also said that the prices of essential items including rice, milk powder, flour, fish, cement, kerosene oil, diesel and petrol are increasing rapidly.
“This is the first time farmers are agitating without lack of fertilizer to cultivate their paddy lands. Unfortunately, this crucial issue is still affecting their livelihood,” the Opposition Leader said.
“Spending large sum of foreign exchange for importing rice is not the solution but providing fertilizer to the farmers to cultivate paddy lands will do the trick,” Opposition Leader Premadasa added.
The Opposition Leader also said that the people are in queues to buy provisions in the morning. “They are in the dark during the night without power,” the Opposition Leader added.
Opposition Leader Premadasa also said that the SJB has a mechanism to bring dollars to the country without selling the country’s assets.