By Newswire Editorial

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Operations Chief Johnston Fernando has accused the government of failing to manage the country’s economy, claiming that the rising cost of living and billions of rupees in losses at State institutions reflect its inability to govern effectively.

“This is a boastful Government that does not understand administration,” Fernando said, responding to questions from journalists near the Colombo Fort Court.

He claimed that despite assurances by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that taxes had not been increased and certain taxes had been reduced, several taxes had actually been raised, placing an additional burden on the public.

Fernando said figures released by the Central Bank and other recognised institutions reflected the increasing cost of living, adding that the government could not dismiss such statistics.

He also questioned the financial performance of State institutions, alleging that several were currently recording losses amounting to billions of rupees.

Comparing the present administration with the previous SLPP government, Fernando claimed that his party had successfully transformed loss-making State institutions into profitable ventures.

“We did not record a single loss at Sathosa during the entire five years,” he claimed.

Fernando said Sathosa had been used to provide essential goods at affordable prices and regulate market prices, alleging that the current government had failed to maintain similar measures.

Meanwhile, commenting on the container controversy, Fernando questioned the progress of complaints lodged over the incident and accused the government of using law enforcement institutions to target political opponents.

He further alleged that certain institutions were being used to initiate court proceedings and secure remand orders as a means of political repression.

Fernando also accused the government of fabricating evidence and filing false cases through State officials, claiming that such actions amounted to a misuse of State resources.

He asserted that the SLPP would not be intimidated by what he described as political repression and would take all possible political measures to challenge the government’s actions. (Newswire)