Cannot rule country with 1980s suppressive mindset: AKD

• The government has started a witch-hunt for social activists and journalists who speak against the government and reveal the true situation in the country

By Ajith Siriwardena   
President Ranil Wickremesinghe should realize that he can no longer rule the country with a suppressive mindset like in the 1980s and if he resorts to such suppressive moves, it will be a complete failure, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.  

• The govt. was setting the ground to prevent a people’s uprising in the near future by suppressing isolated protest organized by the people against its unreasonable and suppressive moves

He told a news conference that the world and the society have now completely changed when compared to the 1980s.   
The MP said no one is responsible for the present situation in the country and that the rulers should accept the blame for the economic failure.   
“People have a right to organize themselves and protest against the rulers who are responsible for economic crimes and expel them. The government has no right to stop people’s protests. We will not allow Ranil Wickremesinghe to suppress any protest. We will stand with the people to defeat the President’s suppressive and anti-democratic moves,” he said.   

He said the government was setting the ground to prevent a people’s uprising in the near future by suppressing isolated protest organized by the people against its unreasonable and suppressive moves.   
He said people have now realized the government’s failed attempt to show that the economy is reviving and that they have started to protest against the government’s destructive moves.   
“The recent Central Bank report reveals the true economic situation in the country. The report clearly shows that the economic growth rate has dropped in 2023 when compared to 2022 and the budget deficit has also increased while industries have collapsed resulting in thousands losing their jobs. All sectors such as education and health are in crisis. People are not prepared to endure this situation anymore,” he said.   

He said the government has started a witch-hunt for social activists and journalists who speak against the government and reveal the true situation in the country and added that journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara had been arrested and assaulted.   
The MP said Uduwaragedara should be released immediately and police officers who harassed him should be brought to book.