UNP attacks SAARC summit

The UNP yesterday challenged the Government to enumerate, if possible, the benefits that the country would derive from this SAARC summit without making statements to hoodwink the masses.

UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella told reporters yesterday that his party did not oppose any international conference being held here, yet this was not the appropriate time for it.

Mr. Kiriella said that the SAARC Summit was scheduled to be conducted in the Maldives, but it declined to do so citing political and economic reasons.

“Sri Lanka grabbed the chance despite the country undergoing numerous problems. This may be the first international conference to be held causing inconvenience to the public. Many houses have been demolished in the name of SAARC,” he said.

He said that the country would not benefit in a substantial measure from this summit though the Government was spending public money in billions of rupees.

He said that the Foreign Ministry had planned to host an expensive dinner for 400 guests.

“Besides, millions of rupees have been spent on floral and electrical decorations,” he said.

Commenting on the upcoming provincial council elections, he said that garment factory workers in particular living in these two provinces should exercise their franchise wisely at the election.

“If this government continues to be in power for another several months, Sri Lanka will lose the GSP+ facility extended to our garment exports to Europe. If it is removed, our textile industry will be in jeopardy with thousands of workers losing employment. Therefore, they should use this election to send a clear message to the Government,” he said.

Criticizing the Government for its failure to keep its election pledges, he said that the Hambantota district had been recorded as one of the worst malnutrition-hit area in the country. 

“This is despite the Mahinda Chintana pledges to give nutritious packages for pregnant mothers and free mid-day meals to school children. None of these pledges have been kept today,” he said.