UNP MP Gayantha Karunathilaka issued a scathing attack on the government and the rise of corruption within the ranks of local government politicians while alleging that several internal conflicts had broken out within the ruling party.
He likened the behavior of Pradeshiya Sabha Chairmen who had been accused of bribery in the recent past to that of those taking loans from the bank for private entrepreneurial ventures.
He commended the Bribery Commission for implementing the law with regards to these corrupt politicians but also challenged the Commission to also bring the bigger players of corruption to justice.
Karunathilaka also criticized the government on its inaction with connection to the health ministry and brought to light various allegations regarding the importation of substandard medicines.
He highlighted the plight of farming communities in the country as they struggle to deal with the spread of fatal kidney disease while the government, he added had failed to implement the recommendations set out by the World Health Organization in this regard.
The MP next criticized the government over its handling of the natural disaster which cost the lives of several fishermen in the country, stating that the government will not allow any dissent against it but only tries to cover its tracks.
He said that the government MPs had adjourned parliament when the opposition had debated the issue and pointed out the various mistakes on the part of the government.
Speaking on the issue of the upcoming elections, Karunathilaka alleged that there were conflicts within the ruling party regarding the candidacy for the Chief Ministerial posts.
He added that the government had attempted to deflect attention away from the issue of the electricity tariff hike by having its Ministers criticize the 13th amendment while also stating that the same Ministers from parties such as the JHU and NFF were kneeling before the government in hopes of presenting their candidates for the upcoming election from the UPFA ticket.
