United National Party (UNP) Kurunegala District MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today the Government’s development projects were not in keeping with the needs and priorities of the people but in keeping with its urge to earn huge commissions.

“At a time the people are struggling to survive amid the soaring cost of living and without proper health and education facilities, the UPFA Government is giving priority to development projects from which they can earn millions as commissions. Despite the burning issues faced by the people, the government has built a harbour and an airport by wasting billions of rupees while having failed to identify the basic needs of the people,” Mr. Kariyawasam said.

He said the country’s economy had collapsed because of the Government’s failed fiscal policy.

“This Government has also mismanaged Sri Lanka’s foreign policy. The President visits African countries like Tanzania and Uganda that are even at a lower level than we are. What kind of economic benefit can we derive from these countries? The Government has failed to strengthen its diplomatic relations with European countries,” Mr. Kariyawasam said.

He said people must decide wisely when they voted at the upcoming Central and North Western Provincial Council elections, which are being held at a time the people are undergoing enormous economic and other hardships.

Mr. Kariyawasam said our teachers were being forced to kneel before uneducated politicians whereas in the past it was the people who knelt before their teachers.

“Today society has deteriorated to such an extent that the teachers have to kneel before politicians who have only passed the Grade-8. There is a severe lack of morals and ethics in Sri Lanka. Today we have a society where parents, students and politicians do not respect each other,” Mr. Kariyawasamadded.
(Ajith Siriwardana)