Political revenge and interference are rampant

The President has not implemented anything promised to the UN Secretary General

An Artist is still in Prison while the murderers are being released

Solve problems and maintain teacher dignity

Stop immediately playing with the lives of farmers  

Disappointed youth are in queues for visas

President of the National Movement for a Just Society, Deshabandu  Karu Jayasuriya has held a  media briefing on Thursday (28) bringing the attention of authorities over a few problems and  some important issues that have already arisen in the country that affect the country and the people.

President of the National Movement for a Just Society, Deshabandu  Karu Jayasuriya expressed his views thus in the media briefing. 

Today I intend to draw the attention of the authorities to several important issues affecting the country and the people. We truly appreciate the successful implementation of the vaccination programme to combat the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We pay our respects to all those who contributed to the process. However, it is the duty of the people to not cause the ruin of the success achieved. Therefore, the public should be cautious and remain vigilant following the 31st.

We were very pleased to see the photographs taken at the opening of primary schools in the island recently. However, had these activities been carried out with the mutual support of the Government and the Teachers, this occasion would have been more exceptional.

We are deeply saddened about the children of this country missing school for several years. As an adult, the memorable past of school life often comes to my mind. But recently, children have not had the opportunity to go to school. It is a great sin.

It is now the duty of the Government to resolve this conflict and provide education to the children in a peaceful and cohesive school environment. We ask the Government to resolve many of the unresolved issues, including the salary anomalies of principals and teachers. We must maintain the dignity of the teaching profession.

The rest of the classes in schools and universities should commence soon. The pandemic and various other factors have deprived the students of a proper education for nearly two years. We see this as a great national crime.

Future Governments should pay attention to the fact that education is the best investment a developing country could make. Today, the top global executives are Asian and mostly Indian. It is our duty to give this opportunity to our children as well.

The fertiliser issue has also taken a serious turn today. It is unfortunate that the authorities are unable to understand the reality, the issues in grassroot levels and the sentiments of the people. We have repeatedly said that the organic fertiliser policy is truly commendable but it cannot be launched in the matter of a few months. It will take several years but the government does not understand this reality.

The farmers are enraged. We see in the media how their frustrations have intensified. This can have catastrophic consequences if not addressed immediately. There could be bloodshed.

The importation of fertiliser from foreign countries has also become a matter of great controversy. Farmers are still not confident about the fertiliser that is currently being provided. Such fertilisers have not been used before, Furthermore, the procurement process of such fertilisers has lacked transparency. Newspapers report that large-scale irregularities have taken place in the process.

Recognised experts in the field of agriculture have rejected the proposed fertilisers. The Government should therefore understand farmers' discontent. The Government will not be able to produce favourable results by forcing the hand of the farmers.

We are saddened that the concept of ‘One country, One law’, which the President had pledged to the UN Secretary General, is yet to be implemented.

The manner in which the President pardoned several persons accused of murder was strongly criticised. Representing the majority opinion of the country, we requested that Ranjan Ramanayake, a veteran artist, be pardoned without destroying his entire artistic career.  There are no charges of murder, fraud, corruption or drug related offences against him. Therefore, we urge the President to look objectively at the request made.

As we see in the media, many cases of political revenge and undue political interference are being reported. Many high ranking officials have met us and voiced their concerns regarding these issues. Some of them have even sought retirement as a result. This is a very harmful trend as the loss of experienced government officials will be detrimental to the country. Meanwhile, we see the youth queuing up at foreign missions to get visas in order to leave the country. Today's youth in Sri Lanka are disillusioned about their future prospects.

We believe it is not necessary to wait for the newly appointed report of the Presidential Task Force to rectify some of the mistakes that have taken place. The final report is due in February.  There is neither any female representation nor any Tamils appointed to the Task Force. It would have been more commendable if all sections had representation.

As an apolitical and independent organisation, we hope the public concerns raised here with utmost sincerity are brought to the attention of authorities.