The United National Party (UNP) took to the streets in Colombo on Friday to protest against the government’s mismanagement of the economy urging the government to reduce the rising cost of living and commodity prices.
Protesters marched to the Lipton Roundabout chanting slogans, displaying gas tanks as well as coconut and rice bags.
The march was followed by a protest rally with the participation of UNP leaders.
The Deputy Leader of the party Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake, former Minister Navin Dissanayake, Senior Vice President Sagala Ratnayake, President of the Government Nurses Association Saman Ratnapriya and other party members were also present.
Addressing the protest rally, the UNP leaders said that the budget had dealt another blow to the starving people.
Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said while the Minister of Finance presents the budget to Parliament, the people of the country are facing a huge food crisis.
“Due to the fertilizer crisis the farming community has fallen from pan to the fire. The economic problems faced by the people are infinite. Today we have joined the people in street battles against the most failed government in the history of Sri Lanka.”
The Deputy Leader said the UNP has never forgotten the people. “We stand for the issues of the people then, today and tomorrow.”
“In 2001 and 2015, the UNP inherited a collapsed economy. We are ready to solve the problems of today as we solved all of them then. They must now realize that this government has failed. I declare to you that today a revolution of a change has begun,” Wijewardene said.