Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

By Sandun A Jayasekera

The JVP yesterday called on the people and the working class in particular to be prepared for a general election by next April to replace the Mahinda Rajapaksa government which he claimed was one of the most corrupt and inefficient administrations in the country`s history.

Delivering the keynote address of the 10th annual convention of the `Lanka Postal Services Union` (LPSU) at Pradeepa Hall in Maligawatte, JVP trade union leader and Parliamentarian K.D. Lalkantha charged the Rajapaksa government was using the war to cover up its inefficiency, corruption, mismanagement and oppressive policies.

?The entire political hierarchy and the top officialdom are infested with corruption and mismanagement. The government does not make an attempt to contain them. As revealed by the COPE report billions of rupees have been lost due to financial irregularities at 26 semi government establishments. The government did little against the politicians or the high officials who had been accused by the COPE report for misappropriations,? Mr. Lalkantha alleged. ?The country must find a clean, true and trustworthy political leader to handover the country after the next general election,? Mr. Lalkantha said.

?The government asks not to launch strikes or any other trade union actions to win demands of the working class as the government is engaged in a war against the LTTE. The corruption, financial mismanagement, inefficiency have been institutionalized under Rajapaksa administration. The main topic in the country is corruption and inefficiency but nobody could stop it or prevent it,? he said. I

Commenting on the high cost of living and the escalation of essential commodities, Mr. Lalkantha said the government was preaching a new concept to subdue the anger of the public on ever escalating prices.

?In the past prices of goods rose only by a few rupees and remained in that level. Today the prices of goods are rising without a stop. According to the new economic theory of the government it is good for the coconut mudalali when coconut prices are going up. It is good for tea small holder and fisherman when tea prices and fish prices are escalating,? he said.

What about the six million employees in the state and private sector who draw a fixed salary every month? Their purchasing power is decreasing daily, Mr Lalkantha said.

?The demand for a pay increase of Rs 5000 must be intensified in a more concerted manner after the final budget vote on December 14,? Mr. Lal kantha said.

Commenting on the third reading of the budget he predicted that the government would win the vote after giving into more and more demands of collation party leaders.

?The government cannot continue to survive on the military victories alone. There will be a day when the masses take to the street against the government soon,? he said.

He also said opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was not in a position to form a government if President Rajapaksa invited him to form a government if the budget was defeated on December 14, largely because the JVP would not extend its support.

LPSU General Secretary Rohana Fernando and V. Vivekanandan also addressed the gathering.