Day Two of the adjournment debate on the government’s policy statement, presented by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, will get underway this morning.
Parliament is scheduled to convene at 10am.
President Rajapaksa on Tuesday ceremonially declared opened the second session of the ninth Parliament by delivering the policy statement of the government.
MPs yesterday debated the policy statement when Parliament was in session between 1pm and 6pm.
The adjournment debate will continue tomorrow as well.
Member of Parliament Gayantha Karunatilleka claims the general public is alarmed by the President’s recent statement that the government’s Green Policy will be taken forward.
Speaking during the adjournment debate in Parliament yesterday, MP Karunatilleka said the President during his address claimed that his Green Policy did not materialise since it was not communicated to the public in a correct manner.
MP Karunatilleka said however, the rural public is aware that the so-called Green Policy concept was introduced to slash the fertiliser subsidy.
The Parliamentarian said it is evident that the government’s policy is all about destroying the livelihoods of farmers who have served the country for years and then seek support from India and China.
MP Gayantha Karunatilleka said at present the public cannot afford three meals a day.
He said the President also claimed that the Attorney General’s Department, the judiciary and Police have been allowed to function independently.
MP Karunatilleka said although claims are made that the government has improved the efficiency of the Police service, those responsible for the gas leak explosions or individuals involved in bringing down substandard fertiliser have not been brought to book.
Meanwhile, speaking during the debate, Parliamentarian SM Marikkar said that the number of government members present in the house during the debate confirms their confidence in the government’s policy statement.
MP Marikkar claimed that the backbenchers of the government are dismayed by the actions of the present government.
He said for the first time in history, the country’s foreign reserves have come down to below USD 1 billion and now the government is selling gold reserves for its survival.
MP Marikkar said Sri Lanka has become a country that survives by pawning and selling its gold.
He claimed that only a few Ministers are pleased with the current programme of the government outside the ruling family.
