Johnston Fernando Criticizes Government's Financial Management Amid Rising Costs

Johnston Fernando, the head of operations for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, has strongly criticized the government’s claim of reducing taxes while simultaneously increasing the cost of living for citizens. Speaking at a media briefing near the Colombo Fort, he asserted that despite the President's denial of tax hikes, numerous taxes have indeed been raised, leading to an unrelenting rise in daily expenses.

Fernando emphasized that data from the Central Bank and various accredited institutions confirm these alarming trends, dismissing any notion that such figures could be inaccurate. He pointed out the numerous state institutions currently operating at a loss, amounting to billions in deficits, casting doubt on the government's competence in financial management.

Addressing questions from journalists, he highlighted concerns over complaints regarding certain cases, such as the container issue, stating that there has been little to no action taken on these complaints. "Is there any sign of progress on those allegations? It's evident that nothing is happening, which we have to accept as a grim reality," he noted.

Fernando further elaborated on the rampant misuse of institutions, not just in the judiciary but across various entities, to suppress dissent. "Do people understand what it means when the treasury is emptied? Do they feel it in their stomachs?" he questioned, adding that food prices have skyrocketed due to excessive taxation.

Reflecting on past performance, he claimed that while some state enterprises have reported losses, others had been turned around into profit-making entities during their tenure. "Under our governance, we ensured profit for five consecutive years without a single loss," he stated, challenging officials to examine the current state of essential goods and their prices in companies like Sathosa.

He recalled a time when they successfully controlled prices, providing essential goods at affordable rates for the public, a stark contrast to the current situation. "Political challenges are something we will confront head-on; we are not afraid," he affirmed, promising that the party will explore all feasible measures to counter the government’s mismanagement.

Fernando concluded by expressing concerns about the government’s apparent inclination towards legal actions against its critics, referring to fabricated cases against opposition figures, and warned of the need to investigate the ongoing destruction of state resources.