"No proper planning or program for suffering people in South"

(November, 14, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sajith Premadasa , UNP Hambantota District member of Parliament , he also son of late president R. Premadasa addressing a Media briefing today ( 14 Nov ) at the UNP Media Unit clearly brought home to the audience the untold hardships and acute sufferings of the Hambantota, Tissamaharama and Lunumahavihara residents owing to LTTE attacks and killings.

He said, though the Forces are trying to do their best , there is no proper planning or program in this direction because of the negligence and indifference of those Govt. and its politicians elected as people’s representatives doing nothing more than mere lip service .

Over 10, 000 families are affected. Majority of them are farmers of various categories. Fishing, tourism and other Industries too are hard put to carry on the business. He cited two instances among many: The Yala Village Hotel of 60 rooms had retrenched 120 of its employees, while the Elephant Reach Hotel of 21 rooms has retrenched 45 employees.

The situation is so dismal and disastrous that after 6.00 p.m., the whole Town is deserted, he exclaimed. Day to day activities are limited to Town limits in all these areas. Yet, the Govt. being unable to bring the situation under control, in characteristic style conveniently denies the existence of LTTE threats and killings, he added.

We are not seeking cheap political advantage. Unlike the Govt. we are ever eager to support the Govt. to bring this situation under control for the sake of the masses that are the most desperate.

As these inhabitants are starving without a proper square meal a day , with no way of earning , either, because their chief breadwinner has been killed by the terrorists , or their source of earning has been destroyed., Premadasa urged the Govt. to provide relief and aid to these inhabitants in much the same way as it provides to the N-E. Besides, many of them have taken loans from Banks Under the circumstances; they are unable to meet their commitments. Hence, he appealed to the Govt. to waive the repayment.

He deplored the Govt.’s reckless attitude towards serious problems .Even the most vulnerable and important places like the Tanks and reservoirs have not been provided adequate security or safety measures, he bemoaned.