Long-term benefits Government's aim - Deputy Minister

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Government is aiming at long-term benefits like winning the war and developing the country, Social Services and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lionel Premasiri said.

Premasiri told the Daily News the people have confidence in President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Government.

"I support the President because of his genuine love for the country and people. I will never withdraw my support to him. Earlier when there was a bomb blast the people set fire to shops and acted violently but now they don't behave like that because they have understood that the Government is about to win the war and eradicate terrorism permanently," he said.

The people do not want to change the present Government and it will win the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council elections, Premasiri said.

According to the Deputy Minister, the people do not have confidence in the United National Party (UNP).

The UNP has no strategy to reduce the cost of living and the price of oil. More UNPers and JVPers are joining the Government because they do not have confidence in the UNP and the JVP, he said.

"Leaders should love the people genuinely and should express their actual feelings. If certain leaders in the UNP can do this there will not be any problem. The UNP desperately needs to reform itself. Without reformations it cannot survive and be victorious in the future. The people have seen what the UNP did during their two year period of ruling," the Deputy Minister added.

Premasiri pointed out that the JVP was trying to fish in troubled waters by striking.

"If they love the country and want to eradicate terrorism they should join the Government which they themselves assisted to bring into power and take portfolios and actively contribute to the Government. Through this they could solve problems."

A big pay-hike cannot be granted without allocating funds from the budget and it can only be done through a budget. The Government has to spend Rs. 7,000 million to pay a Rs. 1,000 increase.

What the JVP is doing now is trying to ensure their existence and covering its nakedness. Their real face was hidden from the public since they entered into democracy and only now the public has got the opportunity to see their real face, he added.