SJB demands apology from those who hoodwinked people 

Everyone who had duped the people into voting for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) administration into power must apologise to the people, Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Lakshman Kirielle said in Parliament on Wednesday.

“There were officials, professionals, artistes, etc., who duped the people. They must tender a public apology. The government MPs can’t go to the village and that’s why they are delaying elections,” he said.

Kiriella said that various governments had delayed elections. “However, this only made the governments more unpopular. People are angry. An election will give them a chance to elect a government they want. Otherwise, people will get on the road and there will be chaos,” he said.

The SJB MP said that in 2020 and 2021, the SLPP administration blinded by power had taken a number of disastrous initiatives. “They brought in the 20th Amendment ignoring Standing Orders. We brought 40 amendments. Minister Ali Sabry, who was the Justice Minister, ignored them all. He too was blinded by power. They fell from their high horses this year. A few months ago, during the height of the Aragalaya, Minister Sabry was in tears and whined that he would leave ministerial positions. Now, he has found his voice again. He sounded pompous again on Thursday,” he said.

Kiriella said the Wickremesinghe administration could not guide Sri Lanka out of the economic crisis. The government was full of MPs without a conscience. “There are MPs in the government who voted for dismantling independent commissions. The same people voted for re-establishing them a few months ago. They will do anything to hold on to power,” he said.