Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) and former Speaker, Karu Jayasuriya yesterday urged Sri Lankans to follow the example set by Ukraine and to join hands to formulate a common minimum programme to respond to the country’s current crisis.

Issuing a press release Jayasuriya said that the fuel and electricity crises had disrupted the everyday lives of the people. The economic activities are grinding to a standstill, he said.

“There appears to be a lack of consensus within the government on possible solutions, thereby further delaying the resolution of these many issues. Instead, various parties to the government are presenting their own opinions on the matter adding to the existing chaos and confusion. The only obvious solution to face a catastrophe of this scale is to at least temporarily form a united national front. However, it can only be built if the government extends the hand of friendship to all other relevant parties,” he said.

Jayasuriya added that the National Movement for Social Justice had come up with a proposal, prepared with the assistance of local and foreign academics and scholars under the leadership of Prof. Rohan Samarajiva.

“A majority of the leading political leaders who participated in the discussion agreed that these proposals were suitable to be taken up for initial discussion. There was also a positive response from religious and civil society leaders. It is noteworthy that several members of the ruling party have also shown interest. The next few days of the week will be devoted to a public discussion entitled “A Minimal Common Programme to Respond to Sri Lanka’s Current Crisis.” We then intend to present a national resolution to the country after including proposals from various quarters,” he said.

Given below are the excerpts of the press release: “In spite of these facts, the government should take immediate action to alleviate the sufferings of the people. Immediate solutions must be provided for the issues in transportation and electricity. The CEB can easily restore the power supply. If the railways and bus services collapse, the whole country will come to a standstill.

“It must be noted that the state apparatus is continuously failing to take decisions based on one point of view and is instead issuing statements expressing varying opinions and decisions leading to further chaos. For example, the President, the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) and the Ceylon Electricity Board are all expressing different views on fuel supply these days. It would be a relief to the people and allow them to plan their work around the power disruptions

“If they can stick to a proper time table for power disruptions in a specific area instead of announcing a lengthy time period during which they may experience many power outages, it would be a relief to the people and would allow them to plan their work accordingly.

“During this harvesting season, the suffering of the farmers due to the lack of diesel is evident through media reports. Their grievances are heartbreaking. There is also a severe shortage of medicinal drugs in the country. This is a dangerous situation.

“Our people are beset not only by shortages of essential items, but also by escalating prices. In the month of January alone, food inflation has risen by 24%. The main reason for this is the excessive printing of currency.

“Ihe government must be flexible and take the lead in the effort to save the country with the support of all. We believe the leaders of the opposition will cooperate and act in a responsible manner. However their support can be obtained not by summoning political dissidents to the BMICH and by retaliating through presidential commissions, but by initiating mutual cooperation.

“It is the duty of the government to earn their trust. Engaging in political revenge but telling people that they abide by the ‘One Country, One Law’ policy only to blatantly violate it will not invoke their trust. It should be understood that the people do not approve of that process of the government.

“Governments that come to power with a large majority must bear in mind that they are the custodians of a country and not its owners who in reality are the people of the country. Therefore, one should not regard the mandate given to him by the people as an arbitrary power. It should also be noted that the people, who are the real owners of the government, will not allow such any arbitrary acts.

“In the last presidential election, Gotabaya Rajapaksa received 6,900,0000 votes while at least 6,200,000 votes were against him. Therefore, the government should have realised that introducing any constitutional amendment or drafting the constitution that would suit its political agenda and not the country such as the 20th Amendment would only lead to the deterioration of itself and the country.

“The position of the National Movement for Social Justice is that under the 20th Amendment, Sri Lanka will no longer be a free country. It will take Sri Lanka to a new feudal system and plunge this country into a severe political and economic recession.”