Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Deputy Legal Secretary, Attorney Tharka Nanayakkara, has strongly criticized the government’s development projects and the integrity of National People’s Power (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) during a recent television program.
Representing the opposition on the program, Nanayakkara primarily challenged NPP MPs on two key points:
- “Malima” MP’s Asset Declaration Missing
Despite NPP MPs consistently emphasizing integrity, Nanayakkara directly accused a participating MP of not having their asset declaration available on the website of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
“Is your asset declaration on the Bribery Commission website? It’s not on the website. Perhaps you submitted it under a different name. It’s not on the website,” he openly stated.
He also urged the MP to investigate and rectify the absence of their declaration on the website.
- Is “Great Development” Limited to Digging Wells?
Commenting on government development projects, the opposition representative accused the government of only staging “work shows.” He claimed that the government is attempting to portray simple repairs and small projects, such as opening minor infrastructure, as “great development” instead of undertaking substantial work.
He criticized a project to repair the Pettah Bus Stand for Rs. 425 million, calling it a “big show.”
Recalling that even former President Maithripala Sirisena was able to undertake projects like Moragahakanda, Nanayakkara questioned whether the current government’s “biggest achievement” is merely repairing a bus stand.
Furthermore, he pointed out that MPs are involved in opening simple repairs like the Matara Beach Park, and another MP opened a public well, emphasizing that these small projects are not what the public expected from the government.
Finally, Nanayakkara added that the criticisms are aimed at encouraging the government to correct its mistakes and get on the right track, rather than indicating any eagerness from the opposition to seize power.
