SLPP National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa has accused the Government of failing to fulfil its election promises, saying the public is now waiting to see what assurances the President will make in his third Budget.
Speaking in Parliament, Rajapaksa criticised the Government over the rising cost of living, increased taxes, fuel prices, delays in digitalisation and alleged failures in attracting foreign investment.
He recalled the Government’s earlier pledge to digitalise public services, beginning with national identity cards, saying people were instead facing queues for fuel, gas and essential goods.
Rajapaksa also questioned the failure to deliver on a promise to sell fuel at the price at which it was unloaded from ships. He accused the Government of increasing taxes on essential goods, vehicle imports, bank interest and IT-related consultancy services despite earlier assurances of tax relief.
He said household incomes had not kept pace with the rising cost of living and questioned what measures the Government had introduced over the past two-and-a-half years to ease the financial burden on the public.
Referring to the Government’s response to Cyclone Ditwah, Rajapaksa alleged that some affected families remained in temporary shelters and that damaged roads and houses had yet to be repaired.
He also questioned the Government’s record on foreign investment, claiming that several proposed projects involving Indian, Chinese and Japanese investors had been withdrawn or abandoned.
On national security, Rajapaksa called for amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act to address modern security threats, while cautioning against legislation being used to target people based on their appearance, tattoos or clothing.
He further accused the Government of politicising the police and questioned accountability over alleged incidents of police misconduct, deaths in custody and the use of force.
Rajapaksa said the Government should focus on generating employment, attracting investment and addressing economic difficulties rather than making promises without delivering results.
He concluded by saying the Opposition was waiting for the President’s third Budget to assess how many more promises would be made without being fulfilled. (Newswire)