The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) alleges that the Government is in the process of politicising regional and village-level groups to establish political power at the grassroots level.
SJB Parliamentarian Sujith Sanjaya Perera levelled these allegations during a press briefing held yesterday (4) in Colombo, where he discussed the alleged politicisation of youth societies through interference in youth society elections and conferences.
He added that youth societies were originally introduced through the National Youth Services Council to enhance the skills and talents of youth at the village level, and that such groups had thus far remained free of political interference.
According to him, political interference is now evident in the appointment of officials to village-level societies, which he claimed was part of the Government’s attempt to establish a form of dictatorial power at the village level.
“When establishing youth clubs in villages, Local Government (LG) councillors and members of the National People’s Power (NPP) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have taken steps to assert control in youth societies by including the names of individuals close to them.
“Similarly, LG councillors and members of the NPP/JVP have intervened in youth society elections,” he alleged, claiming that ministers, LG councillors, and members of the Government were also attempting to politicise village development societies, voluntary organisations, and civil defence committees.
Recently, several protests were held against the alleged politicisation of youth societies by politicians affiliated with the Government.