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Video: Govt. relief only an eyewash: UNP

22 Apr 2013 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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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Video: Govt. relief only an eyewash: UNP

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