March 1, 2013, 9:53 pm


by Shamindra Ferdinando

The National Freedom Front (NFF) yesterday charged that those who had been severely critical of the economy were now spearheading the defense of Treasury Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundera.

Addressing the media at the party headquarters, politburo member Piyasiri Wijenayake pointed out the absurdity of those, critical of the situation on the economic front, coming to the rescue of the very person whom they held responsible for the crisis. Former Cultural Affairs Minister of the PA-JVP ‘parivasa’ government said that UNP economic experts and the likes of the JVP MP Sunil Handunetti had become the staunchest supporters of Dr. Jayasundera.

Wijenayake reiterated NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa’s allegation that Dr. Jayasundera was the cause of the deepening economic crisis. An irate Wijenayake alleged that a section of the print media had been prevented from publishing interviews given by Minister Weerawansa. The public had a right to know what was going on in the country, Wijenayake said, alleging that the media couldn’t even publish an interview given by a minister.

Although the need to obtain foreign loans couldn’t be disputed it was the responsibility on the part of the government to utilize them prudently, Wijenayake said. Unfortunately as much as 75 per cent of loans obtained by the government had been used on infrastructure development projects and only a fraction spent to increase Gross Domestic Product, he said.Wijenayake alleged that the debt ridden CEB and CPC were heavy burdens on the two major state banks. Warning that the government no longer could turn a blind eye to the deepening crisis, Wijenayake urged the President to take remedial action without further delay.

The former JVPer called on the media to take up the issue and expose those conspiring to undermine post-war economic and political stability.

Commenting on the Global Tamil Front (GTF) reiterating its call for an international war crimes inquiry, at a conference held in the British parliament on February 27, Wijenayake said that the LTTE and its western backers had failed to bring Sri Lankan leaders to their knees. But the failure on the part of President Rajapaksa to intervene to change the direction of the post-war economy could lead to chaos, he said.

Wijenayake explained the circumstances under which Dr. Jayasundera was continuing as Treasury Chief in spite of being faulted by the Supreme Court in a controversial case. The NFF official said that the country could still be ruined, though the LTTE was defeated. The sacrifices made by security forces would be in vain, he said.

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