Sajith challenges govt. to hold PC polls

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa urged the government to hold the long-overdue Provincial Council elections, stating that the polls would offer insight into the public's backing for the current administration. During a gathering of farmers in Tissamaharama, Hambantota, Premadasa criticized the recent 17 rupees per kilogram rise in wheat flour prices, predicting that it would escalate costs for bread, bakery goods, and other flour-based meals, thereby adding strain to households already grappling with the increasing cost of living.

He pointed out that Sri Lanka was ranked 120th out of 130 countries in terms of minimum wages, highlighting that remuneration levels were insufficient to cope with the growing expense of daily necessities. Premadasa also questioned the accuracy of official assessments of living standards, questioning whether an individual could survive a month on the figure of 17,315 rupees, a claim he sourced from the Department of Census and Statistics.

He alleged that between 30 to 40 percent of the population was living in poverty and advocated for a concrete plan to aid affected families in enhancing their economic circumstances. Addressing the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which aims to raise the retirement age of superior court judges, he accused the government of aiming to erode judicial independence and meddle with democratic institutions.

He also criticized the government's approach to poverty, job creation, farming, healthcare, and investment, insisting on more potent actions to alleviate those suffering economic hardships. Premadasa called for more robust policies to draw foreign direct investment and urged the government to outline a national strategy for boosting the tourism sector.