Electricity It was I who forced the Govt. to cut tariffs

• the TV alone will use up 90 units

By Yohan Perera   

Referring to the government’s decision to slash March,  April and May electricity tariffs by 25 per cent, former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said it was he who got this concession for the people.   

He told an election meeting in Mahara that the government had come up with this concession only after he gave an election pledge to allow the people to pay their utility bills during the lock-down period in 12 installments.   
“I was able to get a concession introduced even before coming to power. I will get more concessions if you vote for the UNP at the general election,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said adding that slashing the electrify tariffs for those who use up to 90 units will not help many of the consumers. “You will use up to 90 units just by using your TV. Therefore the tariff slashing will not be useful to the people as anticipated,” he said.   

While highlighting that fact that Sri Lanka has a foreign exchange shortage of US$6 billion, Mr. Wickremesinghe said a UNP government would be able to generate this amount and stabilize the economy.   UNP Gampaha District candidate Arjuna Ranatunga said  the UNP is getting cleaned up.

• I was able get a concession introduced even before coming to power