Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Monday accused the government of acting vindictively against all sections of society, alleging a sustained campaign targeting religious leaders, farmers, war veterans and vulnerable communities.
Issuing a special statement, Premadasa said the government was pursuing what he described as a “hostile and unjust” approach towards the Buddhist clergy, despite the Constitution granting Buddhism a foremost place and obligating the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana while safeguarding all other religions and cultures.
He charged that instead of upholding these constitutional responsibilities, the government was attempting to weaken religious institutions and move the country towards a non-religious framework. Premadasa called on the authorities to immediately stop what he described as reprisals against Buddhist monks and to ensure due respect for leaders of all faiths.
Turning to agriculture, the Opposition Leader said farmers were being left helpless despite completing their harvests, as the government had failed to ensure a fair price or provide adequate support for crop purchasing.
He further claimed that paddy warehouses were currently locked, raising serious questions over how paddy would be purchased, while farmers continued to complain that fertiliser subsidies had still not been provided even after cultivation activities had ended.
Premadasa also accused the government of treating war heroes in a “shameful and unjust” manner. He said that around 180 disabled war veterans stationed at the Galle Boossa Army Camp had been instructed to vacate the premises and relocate to Panagoda by February 16, a move he described as deeply unfair.
Instead of improving facilities and welfare for those who sacrificed for the country, Premadasa said the government was forcibly removing them from their current residences, reflecting a lack of gratitude and responsibility towards disabled soldiers.
He further criticised the government’s inability to distribute even free school uniforms provided by China, stating that such administrative failures were directly burdening the public.
Premadasa said farmers, religious leaders, war veterans and the wider public were all being subjected to pressure due to what he described as government incompetence, and urged the authorities not to pass the consequences of their failures onto ordinary citizens. (Newswire)