8 February 2022 12:00 am Views - 82
By Yohan Perera
Whilst stating that the government has completely lost control of the country’s administration with private companies deciding on fuel prices, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday called for an election to determine the pulse of the people.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told a press conference that the decision by the LIOC to increase fuel prices had proved that the government had lost control of the country’s administration. “It will be evident that the LIOC will control the fuel prices as even the CPC will increase prices in the days to come. The control of the entire power sector will move away from the government when US takes control of Yugadanvi Power Plant and the LNG sector of the nation. There are over 1,000 containers with essential items stuck in Colombo Port. It is evident that the government has lost control of everything and we request that the Provincial Council elections be held immediately so that the pulse of the people could be checked,” he said.
Referring to the recent assurance given by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa that his opinion and that of the SLPP is to go for an election, Mr. Madduma Bandara said it is better to hold the provincial council elections.
“Minister Rajapaksa requested our support to get a resolution approved in Parliament to hold the provincial council elections under the proportional representation system, and we have assured our support for it. Therefore, we request the government to bring in this proposal and hold the provincial council elections,” he added.
MP Kavinda Jayawardene who also participated in the press conference charged that Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves have dropped to US $ 600 million currently. He also predicted that CPC will also increase fuel prices shortly.