No one in the Government has the courage to speak about people's issues: MP S.M. Marikkar

03-Jul-2026

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar has alleged that Ministers and Government MPs are afraid to raise the real problems faced by the public with the President, resulting in many public grievances remaining unresolved.

He made these remarks at a media briefing held at the SJB headquarters in Colombo on July 1.

Marikkar said his participation in the Government's special meeting on disaster management was not politically motivated, but was solely to raise the issue of compensation for people affected by the recent floods.

He said he directly informed the President that the compensation being paid to affected families was inadequate.

"Regardless of who leads the country, people have elected us to Parliament to speak up for their rights and needs," he said.

Marikkar further said that the same fate that befell the 'Viyathmaga' intellectuals, who once claimed to know everything, would eventually befall those in the present Government who describe themselves as "walking libraries."

Referring to Newton's law, he said that what goes up must eventually come down.

He also questioned the Government's claim of reducing fuel prices by Rs. 20, noting that bus fares and three-wheeler charges had not been reduced accordingly.

He urged the media to avoid spreading rumours and instead focus on highlighting the real issues affecting the people.

Marikkar added that his party had never wished to see the country collapse for political gain and would always support measures that benefit the nation.