SJB Calls on People to Take to the Streets Against Government

18-Jul-2026

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) activist Ananda Palitha has accused the Government of failing to fulfil its election promises and exploiting the public through excessive taxation and what he described as fuel monopolies.

Addressing a media briefing at the SJB headquarters in Colombo, Palitha alleged that the Government purchases only about two per cent of the country's total paddy production, leaving farmers in distress.

He also claimed that three-wheeler drivers continue to suffer due to the QR fuel quota system despite there being no fuel shortage.

Palitha called for an immediate investigation into how certain political leaders, including Lal Kantha and Wasantha Samarasinghe, who had portrayed themselves as champions of ordinary people during the election campaign, had allegedly acquired luxury houses and vehicles within a short period after assuming office.

He further alleged that the Government must accept full responsibility for the killing of 23 remand prisoners at Negombo Prison, whose cases had not yet been concluded in court.

Claiming that leaders who once spoke on behalf of the public have changed after becoming ministers, Palitha urged farmers and working people across the country to launch public protests against what he described as an anti-people administration.