Former Deputy Leader of the United National Party, MP Ravi Karunanayake, says that policies implemented during UNP-led governments were aimed at providing lasting relief to the public rather than short-term concessions.
Speaking to the media, Karunanayake stated that the current opposition is acting with the public’s interests in mind, which is why it has avoided engaging in disruptive actions such as strikes despite existing challenges.
“We are not going on strike because we understand the difficulties it could create. What we are saying is that we should support the people and act responsibly,” he said.
He added that previous UNP administrations focused on progressive taxation, including targeting higher-income entities, while also implementing salary increases for public sector employees and enhancing pension benefits.
Karunanayake further claimed that a significant portion of policy promises had been fulfilled during their tenure, noting that many initiatives introduced were sustained over several years rather than being temporary measures.
He emphasised that past programmes were designed to deliver consistent benefits, rather than offering concessions that would later be withdrawn.
