Prime Minister slams Derana

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today stated that the Daily Mirror newspaper and Derana will not be allowed to halt the government’s effort to provide job opportunities to Sri Lanka’s youth. 

We will take to the streets against these actions, he said, adding that it is not a problem fight against and that a good lesson can be taught when the youth take to the streets.

Wickremesinghe says that a certain group is acting against the national government’s efforts to create more jobs in the country.

“I ask them to blame us if we do not provide jobs or if the pace we’re moving at is too slow. However, no one can stop this journey. We are prepared to face all saboteurs,” he said, speaking to media at UNP headquarters - Sirikotha. 

The Prime Minister said that the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has accused him of using the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to keep tabs on them and that certain media outlets had reported on this.

Wickremesinghe rejected the allegations and said that he looked into the matter and found out that a special complaint against the GMOA has been lodged with the police and that it is being investigated. 

The PM said that he does not know whether the complaint is true or false and that he is being unnecessarily blamed for a complaint filed against the GMOA by someone else. 

He further charged that it is not the GMOA’s task to look into trade agreements and also accused the association’s current officials of chasing behind Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The PM also said that the government is prepared to recognize the GMOA as a political organization.

“The country’s youth should be provided jobs. What right do they have to oppose this?”