Govt too late to minimize effect on the Middle East issue: Wajira

By Yohan Perera   

The present government is too late to minimize effects on the Middle East issue, United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardana alleged yesterday.   

“The government should have studied developments in the international front. It should have looked into what US President Donald Trump was up to. It should have studied the movements of Russia, China and others. Accordingly, the government should have taken steps to prevent certain issues such as the fuel shortage brought on by the present conflict in the Middle East. Steps should have been taken to prevent issues such as fuel shortage in 2025,” Mr. Abeywardana told a press conference.   

“The situation is same with the Sinhala Tamil new year Nekth sheet. I was the minister of home affairs during the yahapalana government days. There were a number of committees under my ministry. There was one committee to look into religious holidays. We looked into Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic holidays. These committees used to talk with all stake holders. We also used to create a dialogue via media during those days. This is how we prepared the holiday list and even the New Year Nekath sheet. It is too late now to do anything about it,” he added.   

“Former leaders such as Ranil Wickremesinghe looked into all these matters. He particularly looked into international affairs and determined how to deal with them and minimize the effect of those where Sri Lanka was concerned,” he also said.   

Mr. Abeywardana proposed a snap general election. “Parliament should be dissolved as the government cannot move with all the present crisis,” he therefore said.