At a press conference held today (Sept. 2) at the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) headquarters, MP Nalin Bandara strongly criticised the National People’s Power (NPP) government, saying President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s first year in office has failed to deliver meaningful progress.
Bandara said the past year could be described as a year “without a single bridge, culvert, or road,” alleging that the 2025 Budget allocated only around 25–30% of funds for development projects.
He accused the government of mishandling the paddy purchasing program, noting that despite promises of a guaranteed price of Rs. 120 per kilo, only 67,000 metric tons had been bought — insufficient even for a week’s national consumption. According to him, the real beneficiaries were not small farmers but large-scale rice mill owners.
The MP also criticised the NPP for abandoning farmers’ struggles, while also highlighting widespread unrest among teachers, doctors, postal workers, and other state employees. He alleged that instead of addressing grievances, the government was attempting to suppress dissent.
On development, Bandara argued that no major new projects had been launched, with even the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium being a project long planned by Sri Lanka Cricket. He added that promises of new investment zones had not materialised, pointing out that no investments were attracted even to the Bingiriya zone initiated under the Yahapalana government.
He further questioned the government’s anti-corruption drive, stating that despite claims of holding files on 400 cases, no major prosecutions had been pursued. Instead, he accused the administration of using the CID and police to target the opposition while shielding real wrongdoers.
Bandara also demanded immediate Provincial Council elections, criticising the government for stalling despite legal obligations, and warned that denying democratic rights would carry political consequences.
Touching on law enforcement, he welcomed measures against organised crime but expressed concern over rising incidents of murders and shootings.
Finally, Bandara said the SJB was ready to work with all political and civil forces opposed to the government, emphasising the need for a stronger opposition under Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. He stressed that the people do not want “spectacles” but real development, urging the government to deliver tangible results.
