SLPP parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa criticised the government’s priorities, alleging that an excessive focus on legal and anti-corruption actions has come at the expense of urgent disaster relief efforts.
Addressing the media, Rajapaksa questioned the administration’s allocation of resources and attention, arguing that while authorities are preoccupied with what he described as “catching thieves,” thousands of people affected by recent disasters continue to live in temporary shelters without adequate assistance.
He pointed to what he termed a dual focus by the government, highlighting legal actions such as summoning the former chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to court, as well as other ongoing investigations, while disaster-affected families remain displaced. This, he said, clearly reflects the government’s immediate priorities during a critical period of recovery.
Rajapaksa stressed that the opposition has no objection to the enforcement of the law or anti-corruption measures. However, he said the same level of urgency demonstrated by the President, the Minister of Public Security, and the Inspector General of Police in pursuing legal action should also be applied to rehabilitating affected communities and facilitating their return to their villages and homes.
Responding to accusations that the opposition has failed to support disaster relief efforts, Rajapaksa said the opposition’s role is limited, noting that it can only extend moral support under the current circumstances.
He further urged the government to refrain from shifting blame onto the opposition, public servants, or natural causes, and instead focus on delivering concrete solutions. Rajapaksa called on the President, the Minister in charge of Disaster Management, and the Minister of Finance to issue clear, written guidelines to officials on compensation mechanisms for disaster-affected individuals.
He also emphasised that any assistance, aid, or investment received for relief and recovery should be disbursed without delay to ensure timely benefits for the affected public.
