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SLPP Opposition Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has defended former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa following questions over his continued stay in the US despite facing scrutiny over several legal and corruption-related matters in Sri Lanka. Speaking to the media, Namal Rajapaksa rejected claims that Basil Rajapaksa is avoiding the law, stating that he does not believe that any member of the Rajapaksa family is evading legal proceedings. “People in the Government speak to my uncle more often than I do. Whether he is remaining abroad based on their advice, I don’t know. However, he continues to be represented within the judicial process,” Namal Rajapaksa said. He noted that Basil Rajapaksa remains represented before courts through his lawyers and that the relevant legal processes are continuing. Responding to criticism that members of the Rajapaksa family are avoiding court proceedings by remaining overseas, Namal Rajapaksa said that legal representation is taking place through the proper channels and that the judicial process is being followed. He also questioned the Government’s priorities, claiming that greater attention is being placed on investigations involving Rajapaksa family members while several issues affecting the public remained unresolved. He further alleged that the Government is attempting to gain political advantage by focusing on high-profile investigations rather than addressing economic and governance issues facing the country.
Rajapaksa pointed to challenges faced by farmers, including rising fertiliser costs and difficulties in selling produce, as well as concerns in the tea sector, factory closures, job losses and the resignation of public officials. Referring to the agricultural sector, he alleged that the Government had failed to protect local farmers while favouring imports and foreign produceRs He said that fertiliser prices had risen sharply, with some packages costing between Rs 18,000 and Rs 20,000, while paddy prices remained low. “Rice is sold at around Rs 220 per kilo while paddy is bought for around Rs 100 to Rs 110. What is the Government’s plan to protect farmers in the villages?” he questioned. Rajapaksa further claimed that factories are being closed without adequate Government intervention to protect workers’ rights. He alleged that the Government is siding with employers instead of employees and failing to prevent factories from shutting down.
Rajapaksa alleged that the Government is taking decisions to benefit businessmen who are friendly to it, placing the burden on the public through increased taxes and rising living costs. Speaking at a meeting held in Kuliyapitiya on 28 May, Rajapaksa claimed that the Government is siding with a select group of businessmen while ordinary people, farmers and workers continue to suffer under economic pressure. “The Government keeps a few businessmen who are friendly to it and makes decisions in a way that benefits them. The pressure of those decisions is ultimately put on the people of this country,” he said. Rajapaksa also accused the government of misleading the public and failing to address the rising cost of living. Calling on the Government to adopt people-oriented policies, Rajapaksa urged the authorities to provide relief to the public, manage the economy more effectively and take steps to control the rising cost of living.
He also criticised the handling of energy procurement, alleging that losses caused by the import of low-quality coal are being passed on to the public through additional diesel purchases and taxes.
He said that people across villages were increasingly losing confidence in the administration and gathering at Opposition meetings in large numbeRs