UNP to launch poster campaign tomorrow

 


By Kelum Bandara

The main opposition UNP will launch a countrywide poster campaign tomorrow to highlight what it called ‘public concerns’ over the surging cost of living, uncertainty and sense of insecurity prevailing in the country.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told a news conference the living costs had reached ‘unprecedented heights today’ with people reeling under a heap of problems.

Mr. Attanayake said the rate of inflation had risen to 26 percent, much higher than those in neighbouring countries.

“Inflation is six percent in India, three percent in Philippines, 2.9 percent in Singapore. Even in Bangladesh which is ridden with so many conflicts, the inflation rate is only 11.2 percent,” he said.

He said that the government is using the war as a smokescreen to cover corruption which is rampant today.

“Today, over 60 percent of the budget is controlled by the Rajapaksa brothers. They have totally disregarded people’s problems,” he said adding that the MPs and electoral organizers would give leadership to this poster campaign.

“We are asking people to put up posters only during the day time. This is not a campaign to sling mud at the government. We merely intend to highlight the public grievances through this exercise,” he said.

Referring to the funeral of Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, he requested people to converge at Campbell Park at 3.00 pm today to participate in the funeral to be conducted at 4.00pm.