The present government continues to make decisions that favour a select group of politically connected businessmen rather than the people of Sri Lanka, National Organizer of the SLPP, Namal Rajapaksa said. Speaking at a public gathering in Kuliyapitiya, Namal said, today the burden of these decisions is being unfairly placed on ordinary citizens through rising taxes, soaring living costs, increasing electricity and fuel prices, and the collapse of industries and livelihoods across the country.

Namal said  that the government has chosen to protect a handful of businesses aligned with its interests while ignoring the struggles faced by farmers, workers, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, and low-income families.“The government is not standing with the people. It is standing with a few businessmen close to those in power. Every decision taken to benefit them eventually becomes a burden carried by the public,” he said.Namal further questioned the government’s economic management, highlighting the rising cost of fertilizer, the decline of local industries, increasing taxation, shortages of essential medicines, and the growing pressure on working families.He noted that factories are shutting down while the government remains silent on protecting employees and safeguarding jobs. Instead of creating a stable environment for industries and investment, the administration continues to increase the financial burden on the public.

He also criticised the handling of energy procurement and public tenders, alleging that losses caused by poor-quality imports and mismanagement are ultimately passed on to the people through higher costs and taxes.“The people are being forced to pay for the failures and corruption within the system,” he stated.Addressing the agricultural sector, Namal said the government had failed to support local farmers despite coming to power promising relief and protection for the farming community. He pointed to the sharp rise in fertilizer prices and the widening gap between production costs and the market returns received by farmers.He further stressed that Sri Lanka urgently requires a practical economic recovery plan focused on attracting investment, creating employment opportunities, supporting local production, and introducing technology-driven industries for the younger generation.

“Arresting political opponents or attempting to silence criticism will not solve the economic crisis faced by the people. The country needs solutions, investment, jobs, and leadership that understands the hardships faced by ordinary citizens,” he added.Namal concluded by calling on the government to adopt people-centred policies, reduce the pressure on citizens, and govern with accountability and transparency rather than political intimidation and misinformation.