UNP Deputy General Secretary Harin Fernando yesterday criticised the Government, saying there is no point in the President presenting “pleasant narratives” instead of honestly informing the public about the real crises the country will face in the future.
Speaking at a media briefing at the UNP office on Flower Road in Colombo, Fernando stressed that the public must be told the truth about upcoming challenges.
“If Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned and fled the country, this President may also have to run away in a way that no one can even find him. Remember that we said this,” he warned.
Fernando noted that the country currently has only around six billion US dollars in reserves and criticised the President’s recent statements on the economy, claiming a clear contradiction exists between promises made before taking office and statements made after assuming power.
“The President continues to claim that if the economy collapses it will not be his responsibility and that the blame lies with a global war,” he said.
He further argued that the Government lacks the capacity to address current challenges, adding that the opposition had warned of this from the start. “They say this Government has not engaged in corruption. The reason they have not is because they have not done any work. Whenever they attempt something, the first thing they do ends in failure,” Fernando said.
Referring to the Government’s response to past crises, including Cyclone Ditwah, he questioned earlier promises made by authorities, such as compensation for damaged roof sheets, calling them a “joke.”
Fernando also criticised the handling of fuel and gas supply, questioning the effectiveness of the QR-based fuel distribution system. “If there is enough fuel and it is being issued through the QR code system, then why are there queues?” he asked.
