‘Government fails to manage economy’ – Johnston

Daily Mirror and Newswire report that Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Operations Chief Johnston Fernando accused the government of failing to manage the economy, citing rising living costs and billions of rupees in losses at several state institutions. Newswire says he made the remarks while answering journalists near the Colombo Fort Court.

Newswire reports that Fernando said taxes had increased despite President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s assurances that taxes had not risen and some had been reduced. He also said, according to Newswire, that Central Bank and other recognised institutions’ figures reflected the rising cost of living and should not be dismissed.

Newswire reports that Fernando compared the present government’s handling of state institutions with the previous SLPP administration, claiming the earlier government had turned loss-making institutions around. He specifically claimed that Sathosa recorded no losses during the SLPP’s five years in government, and said the retailer had helped provide affordable essentials and regulate market prices.

Newswire reports that Fernando questioned progress on complaints concerning the container controversy and accused the government of using law enforcement bodies against political opponents. The report provides no government response or further detail on the complaints.