Sarvajana Balaya Accuses Government of Failing on Promises and Seeking New Anti-Terror Law

Sarvajana Balaya General Secretary Ranjan Seneviratne has accused the Government of failing to fulfil several promises made to the public before coming to power and alleged that it was preparing to introduce new legislation to suppress public opposition.

Speaking at a Sarvajana Balaya media briefing, Seneviratne said the Government had promised to introduce legislation allowing legal action to be taken against politicians who failed to fulfil their election promises, but claimed that no such legislation had been introduced.

He also criticised the Government's plans to introduce new legislation relating to terrorism, alleging that such a law could be used to imprison people who rise against the Government.

The Government has, in fact, proposed the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill, which is intended to replace the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act of 1979. The Government says the proposed law is aimed at addressing terrorism-related offences and providing for their detection, investigation and prosecution.

Seneviratne further claimed that unemployment and inflation had increased and that people were taking on more debt than before.

He alleged that people across the country had pawned gold jewellery worth more than Rs. 150 billion, claiming this reflected the financial difficulties faced by the public.

He also criticised the state of free education and healthcare, saying that although the Government provides these services, people were increasingly being given prescriptions or notes and instructed to purchase medicines from pharmacies.

Seneviratne accused the Government of preparing to suppress the public by introducing new laws and regulations.