Harshana Rajakaruna Accuses Government of Preparing to Introduce Repressive Laws and Criticises Handling of Colombo Flooding

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harshana Rajakaruna has accused the Government of attempting to move the country towards authoritarian rule through the introduction of repressive legislation, while also criticising its failure to adequately prepare for the recent flooding in Colombo.

Speaking at a media briefing organised by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Rajakaruna said the proposed legislation had attracted international attention and that the Opposition had repeatedly raised concerns about it both inside and outside Parliament.

He accused Government members of making contradictory statements about the legislation, pointing out that they had opposed similar measures when they were in the Opposition but were now attempting to introduce such laws while in power.

Rajakaruna questioned how the Government could justify introducing legislation that its own members had previously criticised, describing the situation as unacceptable and warning that the country was being pushed towards authoritarianism.

He recalled that the Opposition had organised protests and expressed objections to international interference, but claimed that the Government had subsequently proceeded with the legislation and secured its passage on the 22nd.

He also said the Opposition had previously warned that the legislation could lead to political interference in the judiciary. Referring to an incident in the Gampaha District, which he represents in Parliament, he claimed that a judge had subsequently been transferred.

Turning to economic matters, Rajakaruna urged the Government to fulfil the promises outlined in its policy statement through the upcoming Budget.

Among the measures he called for were salary increases every six months, reductions in electricity tariffs and the removal of commissions imposed on petrol and diesel prices so that consumers could purchase fuel at prices closer to the actual cost at which it is unloaded at the port.

He also questioned the Government's progress towards abolishing the Executive Presidency, saying that despite making promises on the matter, the administration appeared to have taken little action.

Criticism Over Colombo Flooding

Rajakaruna also criticised the Colombo Municipal Council's response to the recent flooding, questioning the Mayor's explanation that the city would not have been flooded if it had not been for the heavy rainfall.

He described the explanation as unreasonable and said the Municipal Council had failed to carry out its responsibilities properly.

He pointed out that even the National Hospital in Colombo had been affected by flooding, questioning how such a situation could have occurred if the city's drainage system had been adequately maintained.

He further criticised attempts to attribute the flooding to shortcomings inherited from previous administrations, arguing that the current authorities should focus on resolving the problems rather than making comparisons with the past.

Rajakaruna also made critical remarks about the individuals assigned to handle the city's cleaning operations, urging the authorities to ensure that drainage canals were properly cleaned and maintained.

He stressed that the Department of Meteorology had issued advance warnings about the expected rainfall, giving the authorities sufficient notice to prepare.

He accused the Municipal Council of failing to take the necessary precautions despite those warnings and said it was unacceptable to blame the rainfall instead of accepting responsibility for the lack of preparedness.