Government’s admission that it has only been able to move relief to 30 per cent of affected persons, five weeks after the tsunami, is an indication of the incompetence of the machinery set up to provide relief to the victims, said Professor G. L. Peiris at a media briefing at the office of the leader of the opposition on Wednesday.

He said people must be given assistance immediately. It cannot be delayed any further. The UNP proposed the setting up of a mechanism including all stakeholders such as NGOs, all political parties, religious organisations and representatives of the people.

However the government wanted to keep everything close to its chest and despite the hand of cooperation and goodwill extended, it worked through a few officials who have now proved to be totally inefficient.

The UNP has some problems with the manner in which the government is trying to make political capital out of the tragedy. The first being the vicious attack on the Leader of the Opposition accusing him of betraying the nation which is palpably false. The National Organiser and Secretary of the UNP, S. B. Dissanayake who is now in prison has been denied medical treatment for a painful spinal condition, he said.

The specialist surgeon had recommended that Dissanayake be admitted to the Sri Jayawardana Hospital on February 1. But the Prison authorities were awaiting approval from the Ministry of Justice.

This is a gross violation of the basic right of a prisoner and an instance of absolute vindictiveness by the government.

The Ministry of Justice has further attempted to infringe the rights of parliamentarians by placing restrictions on visiting the prisons. This occurred recently and a written application for approval has been initiated.

The reaction of the government has been without sufficient thought. The same situation occurred when High Court Judge Ambepitiya was assassinated, with various statements about recommencing the death sentence elimination of non-summary proceedings in magistrate courts and extension of the period of detention of suspects prior to being produced before a magistrate. However nothing has happened and everything seems to be forgotten, he said.

The situation cannot be rectified by changing of officials because it will be like trying to cure a headache by changing pillows.

The privatisation programme of the government has recommenced with the secretive signing of an agreement between the chairman of the Bharaat Oil Company of India and the Treasury. Vociferous protests by JVP Minister Lalkantha appear to be only empty words, said Parliamentarian Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

Both the Indian Oil Company and Bharaat are owned by the Government of India and administered by the same management. This would result in Ceypetco, being a minor player and the aspect of competitiveness being surely eroded.

"We call upon the JVP Ministers to state with clarity their position on privatisation", he added.

The government has made several statements boasting of the mega projects it would implement and also the financial and material assistance which the tsunami victims would receive. However nothing has happened and this has resulted in disillusionment and anger among the displaced persons. If it is not handled professionally it would result in violence, said UNP Assistant General Secretary Tissa Attanayake.

The government tried to use funds received to cover up shortcomings due to inefficiency in macro management of the economy. The government has therefore resorted to vicious statements and mud slinging against the opposition particularly the UNP and its leader," he concluded.