Govt. destroyed self-sufficiency and has to now import rice – MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he was ashamed that the government was importing rice to the country though the government doesn’t seem to be ashamed of such a move.

“During my tenure of office, Sri Lanka was self-sufficient in rice, but the present regime has destroyed it”, he said, addressing a meeting at the Bodimaluwa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya at Medamulana in Weeraketiya.

Continuing, the former President said that the government now has no proper work plan or a viable development plan. The only motive of the UNP is to dispose of the assets of Sri Lanka to foreign countries.

He said that as a result of signing a memorandum of understanding to form the coalition government, many SLFP high-profile ministers are dancing to the tune of the UNP to the detriment of the country and its citizens.

Rajapaksa charged that the present regime has no beneficiary program for the armed services, which saved the county from brutal LTTE terrorism by winning the war.

“The present regime neither has any firm policies. They are only interested in selling the family silver. Even the President is against it, but he cannot say anything against the move as a result of the MOU signed with the UNP”, Rajapaksa asserted.

The former President said the people are fed up with the present yahapalanaya regime and are keen to see the election of a new government.