Local, int’l hopes in war aftermath shattered: Sajith

The government has shattered all expectations on Sri Lanka by the local and international community following the crushing of terrorism four years ago and in the last few years the country had taken several steps backward, UNP stalwart Sajith Premadasa observed.

Mr. Premadasa made these observations when he participated in his popular ‘Sasunata Aruna’ social responsibility programme on Sunday at the Paramadhammachetiya Pirivena in Boralasgamuwa.

Addressing the large gathering of the public and devotees, Mr. Premadasa went on to say that a new uncertainty and a calamity were brewing for Sri Lanka in and out of the country as the government miserably failed to exploit the dividends of peace in a pragmatic and democratic manner.

“Sri Lanka’s Constitution clearly outlines the necessity to treat all subjects evenly and not to discriminate against any ethnic group or any minority. But unfortunately what is happening right now in the country is

Sri Lanka’s Constitution clearly outlines the necessity to treat all subjects evenly and not to discriminate against any ethnic group or any minority

quite opposite to it,” Mr. Premadasa charged.

Amidst the euphoria of war victory, the government leaders repeatedly said there were no second class citizens or minorities in the country thereafter, but what was happening in the country today was much different to that rhetoric. The government was in a move to prune the rights of minorities through Constitutional amendments but it would not auger well for Sri Lanka locally and internationally, he emphasised. The Tamils in the North in particular and the Muslims expected a better deal from the government after the end of the separatist war. They wanted durable peace and to be able to take care of their own affairs. It was a misconception if the government thought that constructing roads and buildings alone would fulfill the aspirations of Tamils and Muslims.