Government Deceiving Farmers: Opposition Leader
04-Oct-2025.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa accused the government of deceiving farmers. He said that while the JVP, in opposition, had declared they would never import goods from abroad, after coming to power they are importing everything from foreign countries and betraying local farmers.
Addressing a public gathering in the Kalawewa electorate, Anuradhapura, on October 3, Premadasa said:
“The JVP, while in opposition, loudly claimed that nothing would be imported from abroad. But now, in power, they are importing everything and deceiving our farmers. Education has faced a severe setback, with shortages of school facilities and teachers. At a time when the country needs more staff, 16,200 development officers who worked as teachers have been abandoned.
Both human and material resources are in short supply. When I introduced smart boards with computer facilities to schools, the current ruling party ridiculed and criticized me. Yet, even with power in their hands, they have failed to implement similar projects. Those holding office today are people with confused priorities."
He said although corporal and psychological punishments against children are legally criminal, the government is showing policies unsuitable for society and for children. The people are helpless, with no solutions provided by the government to their problems.
The opposition leader further said, "Farmers have not even received proper fertilizer subsidies. Due to the government’s inefficient administration, farmers face shortages of quality seeds, timely fertilizer, and urea. Prices of farming equipment and fertilizers have also increased. Human-elephant conflict continues to destroy crops, lives, and property, while also depleting wild elephant populations.
In the midst of these crises, farmers are not even assured a guaranteed price for their harvests. A government that talks about constructing a toilet every five kilometers cannot even provide free elephant fences, which are essential. Instead of making empty slogans, the government must take real action to protect farmers.
This government has deceived farmers. They shouted against imports when in opposition, but now everything is being imported. Worse still, they are planning to sell even economic centers. Such actions can never be accepted.”
