Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that former governments that exploited the people for personal agendas find it difficult to comprehend a populist political culture. She made this statement while speaking on the first day (21) of the two-day debate in Parliament on the Clean Sri Lanka program.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who spoke further, said:
"Ever since the day Parliament convened, I have been wondering what the role of this opposition is and for what purpose this opposition is speaking. To understand what their plan is. They do not take the issues seriously. They shout for no reason, they have become an opposition that cannot understand the dignity of Parliament or what the parliamentary debate is for."
She emphasized that the main objective of the Clean Sri Lanka program is to involve the people of the country in the transformation as it requires. transformational change is not something that a government or government officials can do alone. It requires the participation of the people and discussion among them to decide what transformation needs to be done and how it should be carried out.
"Our government is a people-oriented government, and there is a culture in which a people-oriented government works. The people also participate in it. I am not surprised that those who have been in anti-people governments, who have used the people for their personal agendas, cannot understand it. The Clean Sri Lanka program is not a program that can be implemented by force by passing laws."
Prime Minister Amarasuriya further stated that the country’s capitalists and business community are willing to sacrifice for the country, which is something that should be appreciated. She pointed out that previous governments did not engage with businessmen or capitalists for the sake of society but instead to fill their own pockets.
"Some in the opposition are criticizing this project and saying that they are standing for good things, but they are not even capable of holding a single vote."
As well as She highlighted the government’s commitment to ending past corrupt practices in the education sector, stating that the era where teachers were forced to kneel, where select teachers were given placements in schools based on favoritism, and where school admissions were manipulated for personal gain, is now over.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya concluded by reaffirming her administration’s dedication to transparent, inclusive, and people-centric governance, ensuring that the Clean Sri Lanka initiative brings about meaningful national transformation.
Prime Minister’s Media Division