Government had failed to deliver promises on leaving about 80,000 unemployed graduates without jobs, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa told parliament yesterday(8).
Provide jobs for unemployed graduates, address salary anomalies affecting teachers and principals and appoint teacher development officers, the opposition leader said.
It was the government that had misled the public to gain power and subsequently failed to fulfil its commitments, Premadasa told.
Premadasa challenged the government’s commitment to the social contract it had made with the public, accusing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
Responding to prime minister Harini Amarasuriya’s criticism that the opposition was spreading falsehoods and engaging in 'deal based politics' Premadasa said.
Opposition leader cited government promises to cut electricity bills by 33 percent.
The opposition leader also criticised the government over their failure to deliver on promises to reduce fuel prices and failed to provide a fixed price of 150 rupees per kilogram of paddy.
Premadasa said micro, small and medium sized enterprises were facing mounting pressure.
Businesses being auctioned under the country’s parate execution laws, despite NPP campaign pledges to support the sector.
Premadasa further accused the government of increasing the cost of living and maintaining a heavy tax burden.
Tax is affecting school supplies and information technology exports, he said.
He also criticised the administration for retaining taxes on the book and printing industries, despite earlier promises by the government to remove value added tax(VAT) on the sector.
On economic policy, Premadasa said the government had failed to revise the debt sustainability agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He accused the government of pursuing neoliberal policies that were pushing the country towards economic ruin.
Premadasa also questioned the administration’s commitment to renewable energy.
He said that the government had pledged to promote clean energy when they were in opposition.
Government now strengthening the interests surrounding thermal and fuel based power generation, Premadasa accused.
He added that parliament offered little opportunity to question the country’s sustainable energy policy.
(Sachithra Perera)
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