NPP government here to stay, says Lal Kantha

Agriculture Minister Lal Kantha on Wednesday asserted that the NPP government intended to remain in power for the long term, claiming that it enjoyed continued public support. Addressing a press conference in Kandy, the Minister said the government had not come into power temporarily and would continue to govern the country with the backing of the people. “We did not come here to leave; we are not going anywhere, and it is we who will remain forever,” Lal Kantha said. He said the opposition was making various allegations against the government in an attempt to justify its existence, adding that criticism was a normal role of opposition parties. The Minister also criticised the SJB, questioning its electoral performance under Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. “They previously said they could not win with Ranil Wickremesinghe. Have they won with Sajith Premadasa now? How many elections has Sajith lost?” he asked, claiming that the Opposition Leader had lost public confidence. Lal Kantha further alleged that Tamil and Muslim political parties were moving towards forming a separate alliance due to a lack of confidence in the current opposition leadership. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, who also addressed the press conference, said recent surveys had indicated high levels of public approval for the government. He claimed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake currently enjoyed the approval of around 75 per cent of the population, while the government’s approval rating stood at approximately 65 per cent. “We are not going anywhere; our government will continue to lead this nation,” Dr. Gunasena said. Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake