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People should stop paying their electricity bills: Thera

5 May 2013 11:48 am - 17     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lankan population should get rid of its timid nature and should firmly refrain from paying their electricity bills, a prominent Bikkhu organisation said today.




The United Bikkhu Front General Secretary, Venerable Thinyawala Palitha Thera told a news conference that the Sri Lankan population should get rid of its timid nature and rise up against injustice that was meted out to them.  “There is no other population in the world which is more timid than the Sri Lankan population,” he said.

Referring to a judgment which was given by the Supreme Court in response to a case filed by him in the past, the Thera said he had been given the right by the courts to file legal action whenever the electricity tariff was increased. However, he said he was not willing to file action as the people were not showing any interest because of their timid nature.  

He therefore urged the people to refrain from paying the electricity bills until the government decided to reinstate the earlier electricity tariff rates. The venarable Thera therefore charged that the tariff concession which was announced on May Day was a false one as the people would get a minimal benefit from it.

Throwing a challenge at all ministers the Venerable Thera urged each minister to reveal to the general public as to how much of electricity they consumed at their households and its value. He threw this challenge by stating that a minister pays only Rs 2,000 as their monthly electricity charges no matter how much of power they use. He therefore said the real electricity bill of a minister comes to around Rs 70,000 per month. (YP)





Video and Pix by Nisal Baduge

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  Comments - 17

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  • Thomas Sunday, 05 May 2013 03:18 PM

    Will you come forward and set an example

    xlntgson Tuesday, 07 May 2013 02:12 AM

    Hamuduruwane, meka waripanam nemei, viduli bila gevve netnam, onge sevaya visandi karai, vahama natara karai!

    Ha Ha Ha Monday, 06 May 2013 11:31 AM

    Good move , some one should rise against like this , unfortunately we have all Yes Men in parliament

    Amila. G Monday, 06 May 2013 10:50 AM

    Those in the dark , Wants the rest to follow.

    Panikkiya Monday, 06 May 2013 09:58 AM

    "Rata Suddata dunna nam appi goda dan" has been a frequent sentiment expressed over past 2 years. Could anybody guess what statement to come next?

    Thambiya Tudaweett Sunday, 05 May 2013 03:45 PM

    Rata Suddata dunna nam appi goda dan

    Prof. Calculas Sunday, 05 May 2013 03:45 PM

    All the people should not pay the bills. It is called Civic Disobedience. It brought the British Empire down.

    Thambiya Tudaweet Sunday, 05 May 2013 03:38 PM

    This is not a good idea if you not pay bills what will happen next you have to pay past bills plus interest for that particular amount so they (CEB) can put you in big trouble. Maybe it end up with court case.

    Nodrog Sunday, 05 May 2013 03:17 PM

    If he thinks the people are timid then he can lead by example and stop paying his subsidized bills and lets see how far he will go.....after that we can follow

    Grace Sunday, 05 May 2013 12:47 PM

    If people stop paying electricity bills, their electricity connections will be disconnected. who is going to suffer?

    Meril Sunday, 05 May 2013 03:06 PM

    What a dumb statement. Use electricity but not pay them. Ask people not to use electricity instead. This is why monks should not be in politics.

    Joseph Sunday, 05 May 2013 02:57 PM

    The power supply will be disconnected if an ordinary citizen does not pay the electricity bill before the due date.

    Ministers will enjoy uninterrupted power supply by paying only Rs.2,000/= for the actual bill of Rs.70,000/=.

    MrPoint Sunday, 05 May 2013 02:21 PM

    The venerable monks has a point that if everyone doesnt pay the bills, the govt would be compelled to reduce the tariff. However this is not reality, because without electricity we cannot even survive 1 hour, let alone 1 week!

    meranchi Sunday, 05 May 2013 01:21 PM

    stop using electricity around the lanka in one day as token of rate increase...i

    I am Sunday, 05 May 2013 01:17 PM

    i don't support the new electricity tariff at the same time i don't think religious leaders should get involved in politics. it creates a lot of unnecessary problems and they have the power to change Sri Lanka in a different way.

    Kamla Sunday, 05 May 2013 01:15 PM

    And there are prelates of this caliber as well in Sri Lanka, bravo !

    Truth Hurts Sunday, 05 May 2013 12:47 PM

    We can do that provided the ENTIRE population does it. If not we will end up paying extra as re-connection charges!


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