The Leader of the Sarvajana Balaya, Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera accused the government of focusing its efforts on political agendas and political vendettas instead of addressing the country's economic and social challenges.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on the recent clash at the Negombo Prison that claimed the lives of 27 individuals, MP Jayaweera said the incident should prompt a serious discussion on the country's deteriorating social conditions rather than political point-scoring.
The Sarvajana Balaya leader expressed condolences to all those who died in the incident, noting that although Sri Lanka had experienced prison-related incidents in the past, the deaths of seven prison officers marked an unprecedented tragedy.
MP Jayaweera said the condition of prisons reflected the wider state of society, arguing that the Negombo Prison incident highlighted deeper structural and social issues. Citing 18th-century prison reformer John Howard, he said the state of a country's prisons serves as a reflection of the society itself.
The Sarvajana Balaya leader also called for a more balanced approach toward inmates, saying not all prisoners should be viewed through the same lens, as some may have entered the prison system due to shortcomings within the country's legal framework.
Turning to the broader political climate, MP Dilith Jayaweera said parliament was failing to address key indicators of national progress. He argued that Sri Lanka is moving backwards socially and economically despite claims of progress.
The Parliamentarian criticised what he described as the government's emphasis on favourable economic statistics while overlooking major concerns such as the country's external debt, trade imbalance and the lack of new economic activity. According to MP Jayaweera, the country is not generating sufficient new industries, employment opportunities, exports or investment.
Raising concerns over social issues, he pointed to what he described as a sharp increase in drug use among schoolchildren, citing information shared by a teacher from Medirigiriya during a recent visit. He said awareness campaigns alone would not solve the problem without addressing the underlying causes of social decline.
MP Jayaweera further alleged that the government was concentrating its efforts on pursuing political opponents rather than tackling the country's pressing economic and social problems. While maintaining that anyone found guilty of corruption or wrongdoing should be held accountable, he argued that such matters should not dominate the national agenda at the expense of broader development priorities.
The Parliamentarian urged political leaders to elevate the national discourse beyond partisan politics and instead focus on policies that promote economic growth, job creation, investment, and social stability.
Concluding his remarks, Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera said Sri Lanka is struggling to compete globally due to economic weaknesses, including the depreciation of the rupee and challenges facing businesses and exporters. He called on all political parties to work towards rebuilding the country's economy and creating a more hopeful future for young people through constructive national dialogue.
