Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila declared he is ready to face arrest, sarcastically citing two “serious crimes” he had committed.

“One is eating coconut sambal, and the other is that the animal welfare organisation I am a part of has agreed to feed animals. If feeding animals is the reason for the rice crisis, then I’m guilty for that too,” Gammanpila remarked during a media briefing held today (27 January).

He was referring to the spike of rice and coconut prices.

He also criticised the government’s failure to fulfil election promises, highlighting a statement made by Samantha Vidyarathna before the election regarding plans to reduce orcancel former presidents’ pensions.

“In the first Cabinet meeting, it was announced that the pension of former presidents would be reduced. Many Cabinet meetings have taken place since then, yet nothing has been done. These laws are structured to ensure they don’t apply retrospectively. So, even this president will receive a pension,” Gammanpila pointed out.

He further criticised what he called wasteful spending by the government, stating, “The President is keeping 159 MPs in office, hosting get togethers around the country, and engaging in public relations efforts. All of this is being funded with our money.”