TNA accuses govt of shooting messenger

By Dinasena Ratugamage

The government should stop using the PTA to arrest and question journalists and civil society activists, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Selvam Adaikalanathan said on Sunday (24).

Addressing the media in Mannar, he said that the actions of the government were undemocratic.

“People are suffering because of the activities of the government. The cost of living has gone through the roof. Farmers are suffering due to a fertiliser crisis. Without addressing these issues, the government is arresting journalists who report on these issues. They are also arresting activists who organise protests. The government is using the PTA for this purpose,” he said.

The MP said that the government was only using quarantine laws to suppress dissent. These laws were hardly used to reduce the spread of COVID-19, he said.

“The government has suppressed the entire Sri Lankan population. As a Northern politician, I am only referring to the issues faced by my voters. When you watch the TV you can see that the impact of the government’s actions are felt by every Sri Lankan. The country is going from one crisis to another. Instead of addressing these issues the government is arresting journalists. Don’t shoot the messenger,” MP Adaikalanathan said.