POLITICIANS MAKE USE OF ANY SITU FOR THEIR ADVANTAGE: VEDDA CHIEF

Vedda Chief Wanaspathi Uruvrigelage Vannile Ettho accused politicians of neglecting their duty to quell the ongoing crisis and instead of attempting to gain cheap political mileage through it. He told the media that the politicians were in the habit of taking advantage of any disastrous situation without concern over the predicament of the common man.

He pointed out that the people had lost confidence in the Government as well as in the Opposition.

He said that judging by the statements issued by politicians statements it was a clear indication that they were motivated by political gains and not resolving the issue.

“First of all the Government should build confidence in the people. The country has been facing a serious crisis due to the short-sighted policies of the

politicians,” he said. “The people are living in constant fear of danger to their life and they are not prepared to depend on the Government for security.

“We faced similar situations during the JVP insurrections in 1971 and 1998 and the North –East war. The country is in a chaotic situation. However, the people acted with restraint in the aftermath of the bomb explosions.

“Now, the politicians are blaming each other for the crisis. The contradictory statements of Ministers would further aggravate the already tense situation. It is not possible to resolve the issue unless the President, the Prime Minister and the Ministers should reach a consensus.”

He said that several families in his community that depended on the income from tourists had lost their livelihood because of the prevailing situation in the country.