Janasetha Peramuna leader, Battaramulla Seelarathana Thero, has criticized the current government for what he describes as its failure to deliver on promises and its inadequate handling of farmers’ issues. Speaking at a media briefing, Seelarathana Thero highlighted the government’s pledge during the election campaign to reduce petrol prices to Rs. 52 per liter, only to lower it by a mere Rs. 2 while simultaneously increasing the prices of other fuels.
The Thero took aim at Agriculture Minister Namal Karunaratna, accusing him of hypocrisy. He recalled how Karunaratna, before taking office, portrayed himself as a champion of farmers, often seen harvesting paddy and ginger, and showcasing onions and potatoes to the media. “Today, he has allocated only Rs. 40,000 as compensation for farmers who have suffered crop damage,” the Thero pointed out, questioning the adequacy of this compensation in addressing the hardships faced by the agricultural community.
Seelarathana Thero speculated on how Namal and the government would have reacted if they had been in opposition. “If another government had taken such actions, Namal would have been out on the streets with the farmers. He would have led protests, wielded hoes and axes, and raised pitchforks to challenge the authorities,” he said. The Thero suggested that Karunaratna would have questioned the farmers, asking, ‘Are you happy now?’ in a show of defiance.
In a pointed remark, Seelarathana Thero questioned the government’s apparent passivity, asking if their inaction was due to having “eaten God’s rice,” implying they had lost their moral responsibility to stand by the people and fight for justice. His comments reflect growing dissatisfaction among certain sections of the public, particularly the farming community, who feel abandoned by those who once promised to be their advocates.
