The Lawyers for Democracy organisation has claimed that the government is using the COVID-19 pandemic as a tool to suppress people who are rising against the present administration as they are unable to bear the rising cost of living.
Speaking to media in Kandy, Convenor of the organisation Attorney Lal Wijeynaike said the government is not keen on ending the COVID-19 crisis.
He said the government is attempting to conceal its inefficiencies by paving way for the spread of the coronavirus.
Attorney Lal Wijeynaike said the government is preventing the people from leaving homes while carrying out a programme to sell national assets.
He noted the country is also on the brink of a major financial crisis.
Attorney Lal Wijeynaike said the government is responsible for the sugar and coconut oil crisis and is also behind the powdered milk and gas crisis.
He said the country is in chaos at present.
Attorney Lal Wijeynaike said when the government is unable to resolve such issues, it uses the pandemic to silence dissent.
He also stated corruption is rife in the country at present than any other period in history, adding that only the public will be able to prevent the short-sighted decisions taken by the present administration.
He said the country is heading towards a major disaster.
