• Marikkar claims NPP now adopting SJB’s ‘so-called rejected’ socio-econ. policies, cites shift in stance on IMF EFF, further alleges lack of defined work plan  

The main Parliamentary Opposition Party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), criticised the National People's Power (NPP) Government’s Policy Statement, calling it a contradiction to many of the policies and promises presented by the latter party prior to the recent Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (21), SJB Opposition Parliamentarian and Party Spokesperson, S.M. Marikkar claimed that the NPP is now implementing what he describes as the “so-called rejected” economic and social policies originally proposed by the SJB. His remarks followed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s delivery of the Government’s Policy Statement during the first session of the 10th Parliament. He stated that the said contradiction is clearly visible through how the NPP's stance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme has shifted. 

“Before the Elections, the NPP said that they would not follow the IMF programme. When we (SJB) were advocating for restructuring bilateral debts, they disagreed. 

However, now, the President has declared that the Government will adhere to IMF parameters. During the election campaigns, people rejected our similar stance, but now, it appears that the Government is pursuing the same policies that were previously dismissed. We are happy about that,“ he said.

However, he emphasised that the SJB would closely monitor the Government's progress, asserting that the party is committed to holding the administration accountable for its promises, claiming also that the Policy Statement lacks a clear work plan. "The President's Policy Statement lacks a clear and defined work plan. It is good if they can fulfil what they have promised, but our role will be to develop constructive criticism of their programmes and policies. We will refrain from criticising useless matters, such as avoiding the food offered by the Parliament," he added.