Sajith hits out at Mt. Lavinia beach project ; urges more relief for the people

COLOMBO (News1st): Former opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has criticized the beach nourishment project in Mount Lavinia, urging the government to prioritize people over infrastructure development amidst the coronavirus. "Are projects such as land reclamation on the Mount Lavinia beach, and the laying of new roads, the country's priority?," Premadasa queried during a media briefing on Sunday. He called on the government to provide a monthly grant of Rs 20,000 for families facing a shortage of food amidst the coronavirus pandemic. "What should be the country's priority? Isn't it to sustain the lives of the people?," Premadasa, who leads the Samagi Jana Balawegaya told reporters. He criticized the government for embarking on infrastructure projects such as the construction of roads and highways, while the country was under a lockdown-style curfew. "These projects increase the debt burden of the people. Is it the need of the hour?" Premadasa, who heads the Samagi Jana Balawegaya remarked. The government had issued a monthly grant of Rs 5000 for families below the poverty line in April and May but had scrapped the grant in June, citing the stance of the National Election Commission. However, the polls body has denied such claims and said it has only requested to reconsider the need to issue the grant in June if the situation is returning to normalcy, while also urging it to be depoliticized amidst an upcoming parliamentary poll.