Video: Ministers must pay for electricity used at official residence

19 April 2013 01:01 pm - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Organisers of night races and night cricket tournaments should pay for the electricity used at these events, the joint opposition group, ‘Vipaksaye Virodaya’ said today.

United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera told a media conference organized by the Vipaksaye Virodaya that the organisers of night races and night cricket had not paid a single cent for the use of electricity at these sports events.

He said ministers should also be made to pay for the entire quantity of electricity they use.

Mr. Samarawera said ministers only pay Rs.2,000 for the use of electricity at their official residences no matter how much of electricity they use in a month.

“I am aware of this position as I myself paid only Rs.2,000 for electricity when I was a minister,” he said and added that the need for the 17th Amendment to the Constitution was felt more than ever today because of the elasticity tariff hike.

Mr. Samaraweera said electricity prices would not have been increased had the Public Utilities Commission been in a position to function as an independent body appointed under the 17th Amendment.

Mavubima Janatha Party leader Hemakumara Nanayakkara said the joint opposition should begin a protest starting from the May Day rally this year. He invited the leftist parties and the SLMC to come out of the government as it was clear that they could no longer remain in the government.

NSSP Leader Wickramabahu Karunaratne said the struggle against this government should begin by denouncing various extremist groups that had sprouted up.(Yohan Perera and Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 20

Pluto Friday, 19 April 2013 02:18 PM

The ordinary citizen does not care as to how much a minister pays for his or her electricity. The care as to how much they have to pay. You have to get to the streets and fight, not talk boloney.

Abdul Saturday, 20 April 2013 07:40 AM

Fusion,
I have a question.
Why didn't you mention Muslim congress???
You forgot or what?

Fusion Saturday, 20 April 2013 03:14 AM

Interesting Mr. MS, why do you mention only ministers? All MPs get their bills, electricity, water and pretty much everything else paid by the ordinary citizen.

You are just trying to get political capital out of the present situation. UPFA, UNP, JVP, JHU, TNA and their supporters should be wiped out of SL 4 da good. I honestly don't see how this "forsaken land" is going to change under the present environment.

Nodrog Saturday, 20 April 2013 02:54 AM

Ok...why don't you start?

chris Saturday, 20 April 2013 01:08 AM

are u talking rs or us#

OMG Saturday, 20 April 2013 12:54 AM

If you want to a luxury life in Sri Lanka you should be a Minister or an MP or the body guard of one.

renu Friday, 19 April 2013 03:37 PM

Peopple must agiutate now asking the Ministers & MPs to pay for their electricity Bill asa for the new tarrif

sss Friday, 19 April 2013 03:15 PM

I do not know why people tolerate these. E.L Senanayake had even the light bulbs in his home replaced by Kandy municipality

Kodituwakkuarachchi Friday, 19 April 2013 03:03 PM

This takes away the very reason why so many wants to become ministers.

shehan Friday, 19 April 2013 02:45 PM

Even a toddler can give such solutions, but implementation is the key !! Set an example so that others can follow... Current politics has became a platform for perfect theoretical answers with zero practicality !!

Pluto Friday, 19 April 2013 01:02 PM

it is time people are on streets protesting. People just can not get on the streets to protest. It has to be organized and the opposition (if we can call you that) need to do it before it is too late.

Alagiyawanna Friday, 19 April 2013 02:00 PM

That is unfair. How can a poor Minister pay the electricity bill with his meager salary and allowances? After all he gets less than a million a month! We must foot the energy bills of the Ministers, MPs etc.

Lobo Friday, 19 April 2013 02:00 PM

Will the CEB cut off electricity if the MPs don't pay? Who are they trying to kid?

Nodrog Friday, 19 April 2013 01:56 PM

This is bullshit. The Govt will give the MPs and allowance for electricity and again we will end up paying for it.

Suq Madique Friday, 19 April 2013 01:55 PM

Organizers at night racers made a mint of money on tickets etc. and didn't pay for electricity? Why? Is it because the main organizers were CSN???

kumisura Friday, 19 April 2013 01:44 PM

Who pays for the electricity that keeps all these 'public" fountains playing????? Can we AffORD such extravagances? I know elderly people who need night lights on and other vital power gadgets but cannot afford them. In such circumstances costly showiness in cities like Colombo just to impress tourists demonstrates a poor sense of values and priorities

kondebendapucheena Friday, 19 April 2013 01:31 PM

We still remember how much you spend public funds to renovate official residence and ministry office including Lift,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

lalitha Friday, 19 April 2013 01:24 PM

politicians should pay utility bills, petrol n services from their salary. 2500 from bandulla

Channa Asela Friday, 19 April 2013 01:17 PM

Let the present ministers also enjoy the same privileges what you enjoyed as a minister.

ANTON Friday, 19 April 2013 01:17 PM

That is also our money sir, tax deducted from our hardly earned little salaries.

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Video: Ministers must pay for electricity used at official residence

Comments - 20

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