Emergency Regulations highlight government incapability

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Leader of the Opposition said the government introduced emergency regulations, under the pretext of controlling commodity prices, which was merely an arbitrary move to cover up the government's wrongdoings and inefficiencies.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that although it is possible to control commodity prices via the Consumer Affairs Act No. 9 of 2003, the government is making its way towards something dangerous by imposing emergency regulations.

Sajith Premadasa further requested the government to enforce the provisions of the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2005, rather than resorting to imposing emergency regulations.

It is clear that the government aims to turn a democratic country into a dictatorship and arbitrarily challenge human rights, he said.

The Leader of the Opposition said that the government cannot reduce the number of COVID infected people in Sri Lanka with the introduction of the emergency regulations.

He added that the country would not receive the required number of vaccines and the emergency regulations would not help curb corona control.

The Leader of the Opposition called on the President to immediately reverse the emergency regulations Gazette.

He also said that the opposition led by the Samagi Jana Balawega completely opposes the process of bringing about the emergency regulations.

He requested the President enforce the provisions of the consumer rights act and penalize those who hoard consumer goods.