President should’ve been open about plans – Namal Rajapaksa | Sunday Observer

President should’ve been open about plans – Namal Rajapaksa

17 April, 2022

In an interview with ThePrint, Namal Rajapaksa, son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, talks about the need for systemic change in Sri Lanka as anger over the country’s economic crisis continues to grow.

By Vendana Menon

Son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and nephew of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa, said he understands why people are angry with the Government. However, he has cautioned that now is not only the time for anger, but for solutions too.

According to Namal, the President and the Government should have been more open and vocal about their plans for the country. “One of the biggest accusations we have is that we don’t inform people — which I agree with.”

Protests have broken out across the nation amid anger and frustration stemming from the economic crisis. This has further stoked political turmoil, with the Cabinet — Namal included — resigning. Namal said on Saturday that the Government will appoint a fresh Cabinet this week.

The Opposition is collecting signatures for a no-confidence vote.

In the interview, Namal, the former Minister of Youth and Sports, talked about the need for systemic change in Sri Lanka. According to him, progressive leadership is held back by an outdated administrative system, and plenty of red tape.

Accepting that the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration hasn’t been as transparent as needed — and that the silence from the President isn’t helping the situation — Namal said the “President should address the nation and tell them about his plans.”

He also said that the sacked former Finance Minister and another of his uncles, Basil Rajapaksa, should have been more vocal about the country’s economic situation and his plans to tackle it.

On Monday night, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa made his first public statement since the countrywide protests began. “The Government is working round-the-clock to overcome the economic crisis,” he said, calling for patience.

Protests have been continuing non-stop, with the Government declaring holidays on Monday and Tuesday in view of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Protestors have set up camp outside the Presidential Secretariat, and named the new demonstration ground ‘Gotagogama’, or ‘Gota Go Village’, in reference to the popular slogan asking President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to leave office.

Namal said that he understands why people are angry, and supports their right to protest. However, he added that such anger is unproductive and could create a further crisis — especially as the protests could keep away tourists, who could help the Sri Lankan economy.

- ThePrint

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