The UNP was considering joining hands with the JVP and other political parties in the protest campaigns against the electricity tariff hike, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said today.

“We are having a discussion with non-UNP trade unions tomorrow at our headquarters. We already have had discussions with 47 trade unions and decided to join them on May 15 in the protest march against the tariff hike,” he said.

He said that the party was even ready to a prolonged protest against the tariff hike.

Mr. Attanayake also said the UNP would form ‘People-Regiments’ to topple the government during elections next year.

 “The regiments will be establishedat every polling station with anelection supervisor appointed by the party,” he said adding that the people-regiments would only political purposes and would in no way have a military agenda.

“These regiments will only follow a political agenda. It is essential to change the government and to renew the political movement of the countrydue to the demands of the people,”Mr. Attanayake said.

He said the President had deceived the people on the electricity tariffs.

“Everyone is talking about how the President gave relief to the people.The government is trying to hide the fact that the prices were increased. The electricity consumers will realize this fact on May 20 when they receive their bills,” he said.

UNP MP Harshana Rajakaruna said the government should remove the fuel surcharge from electricity tariffs and the world prices of fuel had reduced significantly.

“The Government should reduce fuel prices as the international prices have declined. India had also reduced fuel prices on four occasions as a result of the reduced international fuel prices,” he added. (Lahiru Pothmulla, Yohan Perera)