Opposition Leader and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of failing to address the ongoing fuel crisis, urging immediate action to resolve the concerns of fuel station owners. He insisted that until a viable solution is found, the existing agreements must remain in place.
Speaking at a public meeting in Anuradhapura, Premadasa condemned the government’s handling of the situation, stating that fuel station owners have halted orders, causing severe disruptions to consumers, industrialists, farmers, fishermen, and small business owners. He warned that the fuel issue is crippling the country’s production and economic activities.
Premadasa criticized the government for making harsh and dictatorial decisions, claiming that it has become subservient to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He argued that the administration is blindly following IMF directives at the expense of the people, stating, “When the IMF catches a cold, the government goes crazy. You cannot govern a country like this.”
Asserting that the government has pushed the people into another era of fuel queues, Premadasa declared that this moment presents an opportunity to create a new mandate. He called on his supporters to work toward building a strong and efficient local government and to prepare for a new political era.
Premadasa concluded by demanding that the government immediately implement solutions to ease the crisis, stressing that the entire society—consumaers, industrialists, and workers—is suffering due to its failures.
