The main opposition UNP today requested the government to credit the funds allocated to provide subsidies to the fisher folk to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation so that it would help bring down fuel prices.

This suggestion had been made by the fishermen’s organisations that rejected the subsidy offered by the government in the aftermath of the recent fuel price increase.

UNP National Organiser Daya Gamage told journalists today this suggestion by the fishermen was a practical one and should be implemented without delay. He said something has to be done to resolve the issues faced by the fishermen.

He said history had proved that too many subsidies would eventually be a failure as it had been seen in the pre 1977 era where the country ended up in an economic crisis largely due to  subsidies and ration systems practised at that time.  (YP)