“Those who do not vote for the UNP will not be given state funding”, this is what minister Lakshman Kiriella said recently in Kandy.

The minister started off saying that there is no point to giving “power” to the opposition because “they can’t even construct an annicut”.

He went on to say that the UNP is “the government’s engine” with 106 MPs.

According to the minister of Higher Education and Highways, only the UNP can maintain this government.

“If you make a person from the UNP your representative, you will receive state funding. If you elect an MP from the Opposition, you will not get money to develop the area” – Lakshman Kiriella, Minister of Higher Education and Highways

The reality?

President Maithripala Sirisena recently stated that the UNP has “failed to manage Sri Lanka’s economy for three years”.

The Head of State announced that he will be taking over the reigns of the country’s economy in 2018.

“For three years, I let the UNP handle the management of the country’s economy. However as you are aware, the people are facing severe economic problems. Three months ago, under my leadership, I appointed a National Economic Council to manage the economy of this country. I need to emphasize that from this year onwards, I will take the leadership in handling the economy of this country through the National Economic Council.” – said President Maithripala Sirisena

President Sirisena stated that this move is being made mainly to reduce the ‘cost of living’ of the people.