Fuel price hike due to government mismanagement & corruption – Namal challenges govt. to prove otherwise

Colombo, June 03 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa yesterday claimed that the government’s decision to increase fuel prices was a direct result of mismanagement, corruption, and irregularities linked to coal imports and power generation.

Addressing the media in Nugegoda, Rajapaksa alleged that the use of low-quality and improperly handled coal imports had forced authorities to burn significantly more fuel for electricity generation, resulting in massive additional costs.

He claimed that losses linked to the coal imports had forced the country to use an additional 700,000 to 800,000 litres of fuel per day for power generation.

“In the past, governments were accused of commissions and corruption when fuel prices increased. Today, this government must explain to the country why the public is being forced to bear the burden of losses caused by its own mismanagement, corruption, and incompetence,” he said.

Rajapaksa stated that the government was transferring the consequences of its failures directly onto the people through increased fuel prices.

“The people of this country are now being forced to pay for the government’s mistakes by purchasing fuel at extremely high prices. This burden has been unfairly placed on the general public,” he said.

He further challenged the government to prove that corruption, fraud, and irregularities were not behind the losses incurred in the energy sector.

“If the government believes these allegations are false, they should openly prove to the people that there has been no corruption, fraud, or mismanagement in these transactions,” he said.

Rajapaksa also accused the government of failing to prioritize the well-being of the people.

“Clearly, this government does not think about the people. Instead of reducing the cost of living, they continue placing every burden on the public,” he added.

Commenting on governance and elections, Rajapaksa said it would be better to hold elections and allow people to choose regional leaders instead of concentrating power in political appointees.

“Today, power and financial management in the provincial councils have been handed over to nine political representatives appointed by the President. It would have been better if those powers were given to representatives elected by the people,” he said.

Rajapaksa stated that the opposition would continue to challenge the government until the promises made to the public were fulfilled.

“We will continue exposing the government’s mistakes, corruption, and incompetence until the promises given to the people are fulfilled,” he said.

Referring to coal imports, he alleged that coal shipments were repeatedly being rejected and hinted at possible investigations into future consignments.

“The latest coal shipment is being rejected again and again. The next coal ship may even be called before the CID in another few days,” he claimed.