Video: Govt. relief only an eyewash: UNP

22 April 2013 03:01 pm - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government’s relief proposal on electricity bills from next year was only an eye wash, UNP MP Gayantha Karunathilaka said

“The Secretary to the Power Ministry had said that the Ministry would reduce the fuel surcharge by commissioning thermal power plants next year. The promise is similar to how the government gave electricity to India,” he said speaking at a news conference today.

Accusing the Power Ministry and Public Utilities Commission for increasing the electricity bills, he said Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi was hard to find these days although it was her responsibility to address the public and clarify the issue.

“The minister is not to seen anywhere. There is no response when people tried to contact her. As some people say, the media may have to launch a paparazzi campaign to look for her,” he said.

He said the people believed Minister Wanniarachchi when she said there would not be any tariff increase, as it was the first time that a woman was appointed as the minister to the Power and Energy portfolio.

He charged that the government had got loans at high interest rates but mismanaged them.

“Noraichcholai power plant had broken down 20 times while Yugadhanavi had broken down 17 times within the last two years,” he said.

He said the government was putting an unreasonable burden on the public only to cover up the corruption and mismanagement in its departments.

“There was a time that people left the country because of terrorism. Today they are leaving because of economic hit men,” he said.

He said that the UNP would take legal action against the tariff increase and organise campaigns against the government with the support of the public.

This year UNP would be organising Day rallies in Colombo, Badulla and Kurunegala, he added. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 6

Cobra Tuesday, 23 April 2013 01:38 AM

If you guys stopped in-fighting and concentrated on being a strong Opposition this absurd tariff hike would never have come to pass. Where is your boss, by the way, as usual gone on an overseas jaunt courtesy MR when he should be here in the forefront of protests?

Calistus Jayatilleke Monday, 22 April 2013 05:39 PM

The government still believes that the people can be taken for a ride with such fairy tales with an eye on elections. It is high time everyone made a resolution not to believe any of the falsehoods propagated by the ministers through the government controlled media.

ads Monday, 22 April 2013 03:16 PM

Exactly correct

Ravi Monday, 22 April 2013 10:24 PM

The unp people talk rubbish. Legal action against the government to stop the tariff increase. Don't waste your time..with the state of justice in this country you know what the result will be.case thrown out.

Game Kolla Monday, 22 April 2013 03:19 PM

You don't have to repeat what the government say about this.....million dollar question is what action you and your party going to take?

Matalan Tuesday, 23 April 2013 03:53 AM

Paradise it once was. But people with the teeniest chance will opt to leave this country even to a desert island.

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Video: Govt. relief only an eyewash: UNP

Comments - 6

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