The present Government has lost its popularity by fifty per cent within the first hundred days, like a man infected with Coronavirus (COVID-19), National Bhikkhu Front (NBF) General Secretary Ven. Wakamulle Uditha Thera said.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, the Thera said it was clear that the President had decided to dissolve Parliament early because of the fear that the popularity of the government would further deteriorate.

“However, the present Government has the opportunity to continue for another six months until September this year without going for dissolution,” he said.

"This Government was unable to fulfill even the major election promises pledged by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during his Presidential Election campaign," he said.

“The present Government's health is deteriorating like a patient infected by the Coronavirus,” he said.

“The National Security which this Government promised during the Presidential Election campaign has now failed,” the Thera added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)