Anura vows to reduce electricity tariff, fuel prices

20 August 2024 09:49 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 65 Bookmark

A A A

Colombo, August 20 (Daily Mirror)- National People's Power (NPP) government will take over the country with a plan to eliminate poverty while stopping waste, theft and corruption, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Speaking at a rally in Galgamuwa, he said the NPP has a plan to develop agriculture, develop rural economy and micro industries.

Dissanayake said NPP government will provide minimum of Rs. 10,000 allowance to low income families until they get sufficient income.

"We will look after poor people. We will reduce electricity tariff by one-third and reduce fuel prices as well. We will also remove VAT on food, health and education," he said.

He said the NPP government will introduce a development bank to provide loans without property guarantee at low rates and added that steps will be taken to waive off farmers' loans after a survey.

Dissanayake said the NPP government will recover defaulted taxes amounting to Rs.1,100 billion by various people such as liquor manufacturers and ensure that all tax money is channeled to the Treasury.

He said NPP will not take revenge from anyone after coming to power and added that however, they will take action to take over stolen property.

"It is not taking revenge. It is meting out justice," he said.

Comments - 65

Tilak Tuesday, 20 August 2024 10:09 PM

NPP has a plan to develop agriculture, but what did AKD do when he held the Agriculture portfolio last time .... sweet nothing.

23 80

Gamage Tuesday, 20 August 2024 11:47 PM

This bugger doesn't know 43 items including medicine, essential food items, education, public transport

6 25

Milco factory worker Wednesday, 21 August 2024 04:36 AM

Please do not spread lies and dam lies. Have you studied what he has done during 1.6 years as the minister of agriculture and Animal husbandry under Chandrika government. When he assumed duties the bank balance of milko factory was in the red when he left bank account had a favorable balance. As the minister the allowances he received was used to buy 4 buses for the milko factory workers to come to work and these 4 buses are still bring workers to the factory. This is how they worked. Dont disseminate lies to discredit people who have served this country like other politicians.

18 34

sss Wednesday, 21 August 2024 06:53 AM

At least he did not use public property for personnel use. He took only an old double cab. The minister who succeeded him took 23 vehicles from the departments coming under his ministry. This is what he calls waste and theft. And once they are eliminated there are enough money to give the concessions he mentions.

12 27

Lasa Perera Wednesday, 21 August 2024 11:47 AM

Under that time SL received the highest paddy production under AKD as Agricultural minister. Used efficiently paddy research centers and other relevant institutions. Further By the end of his period, Milco has paid extra 1 rupee bonus to the milk farmers per every liter as an encouragement and Milco had enough profits to pay .

12 7

RanjithT Tuesday, 20 August 2024 10:52 PM

What rubbish? What we have is Presidential Elections not general elections. President need to emphasize on vision for future which is strategic rather than on operational matters. NPP should tell the people the vision not about reducing taxes or doling out benefits. It is a matter during the general elections.

11 27

DHA Tuesday, 20 August 2024 10:54 PM

His vision is good but let's face it, with the ongoing IMF loan and pending interest how on earth is he planning to do all these things....!!!...yes collecting money from defectors is one thing but that won't happen overnight??? Need further clarification Sir

3 25

Hector Perera Tuesday, 20 August 2024 11:24 PM

He is going to reduce fuel prices thinking the oil wells are in Thabuthegama. He doesn't mention about the dollar rate. What nonsense.

13 34

James Tuesday, 20 August 2024 11:39 PM

All I hear are promises but no real process or plan to make it happen. If the country doesn’t t have money you can’t simply increase allowances. This will surely lead us back to another crisis.

4 25

BnW Tuesday, 20 August 2024 11:52 PM

Are you giving all these goodies soon after you come to power or after collecting all these defaults? Will the tax threshold be increased if IMF agrees or even without they agree to it? Most likely you will tell that RW has signed agreement that cannot be changed as an excuse?

5 22

politics Wednesday, 21 August 2024 01:40 AM

Tilak what a stupid question you are asking about it. He was just minister under CKB. you know well who controls all ministers in Sri Lanka with excusive presidency and he power was limited to what the cabinet of that time used to give them ( finance, money, human resource and other resources) still he did his best during time. As a young Minister he did his best that time. You see how matured AKD is now. Leave all personal things and put the country first and vote AKD if you want to see any real change or vote for Ranil or Sajith to loot all public money and robe the country once again by some elites and crook civil servants. I do not why people like you can not get any lesson from the recent past politics of this country. What is wisdom, where is rational thinking of this country ? I did not vote for JVP at all but this time I feel NPP is the best alternative we have. All others are cheats. Look how small parties are carving for a place in Sajith or Ranil party. Do you think they

16 18

Sena Wednesday, 21 August 2024 12:01 PM

I agree. As Sri Lankans we all need to completely change the governance from the same old corrupt parties that have ruled since independence. I say give him and his party a chance. By voting the same old crooks (from family dynasties) we all know what the outcome will be, nothing but more corruption!

8 4

surain Wednesday, 21 August 2024 12:06 PM

Your comments to ptomote one candidate who was also a party to destruction of this country Anura himself as a then uni student of jvp too too responsible for destruction jvp carried out 83-89 even today jvp often aired their rebellion attitude how can you on this earth trust them

5 14

Ranga Wednesday, 21 August 2024 01:41 AM

Ops now he's talking like MR with sweetners

7 21

Zak Wednesday, 21 August 2024 02:16 AM

I watched the whole speech. DM seems to insinuate AKD is promising 10k for everyone. What he said was only the really needy will be considered for a 10k allowance, that too for short period till they find another source of income.

14 8

Sanath Wednesday, 21 August 2024 10:21 AM

and those needy would be the party workers, paid out form our tax money in return for their votes and to ensure they work for the party during the general elections

5 11

Amaran Wednesday, 21 August 2024 02:45 AM

I am writing this from overseas. I really admire Hon Anura's vision for our motherland. He has a comprehensive understanding about the plight of the poor masses. CORRUPTION should come to the end. I wish him all the success.

27 16

As I see it. Wednesday, 21 August 2024 03:14 PM

Please tell us about this vision - hope not a mirage as so far he is vague saying what he will do but not HOW. All rhetoric.

2 1

Amaran Wednesday, 21 August 2024 02:45 AM

I am writing this from overseas. I really admire Hon Anura's vision for our motherland. He has a comprehensive understanding about the plight of the poor masses. CORRUPTION should come to the end. I wish him all the success.

22 15

P Kunchithapathan Wednesday, 21 August 2024 03:18 AM

Anura is painting a rosy picture, reminiscent of the infamous promise by the late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike to "bring rice from the moon." The notion of reducing tariffs by 33% in such a short timeframe is unrealistic unless substantial steps are taken to harness solar or wind energy as alternatives to thermal power.

6 20

Broken promises Wednesday, 21 August 2024 03:32 AM

Nothing original there. Public have heard it all before.

6 20

lion Wednesday, 21 August 2024 04:44 AM

Anura we will trust you after carefully studying your track record for the last 20 years in politics. We are disgusted and demoralized for voting these rouges for the last so many decades. Your conduct in the parliament and the speeches you did always for the betterment of this country and the people are exemplary. unlike others you act according to what you preach. So this time it is you and we believe you please go ahead.

24 15

Gx Wednesday, 21 August 2024 04:49 AM

If he is elected and doesn't keep his election pledge, he must be taken to court fir cheating and for giving false promises to obtain voters

2 16

Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 21 August 2024 05:05 AM

Election gunduus. Nothing else.

10 24

Wiraj Wednesday, 21 August 2024 12:33 PM

He must have received confirmation that oil deposits have been discovered in the Gulf of Mannar.

2 7

Nuno Martins Wednesday, 21 August 2024 05:09 AM

And the money to do all this beautiful but nonsense measures are coming from ????? How much will be needed just to eliminate the VAT???? Sri Lanka will become another Venezuela in the hands of this people.\ Run when you have time because once they take the power they will never leave like Maduro and Putin and all communist leaders around the world.

8 18

Ram P Wednesday, 21 August 2024 05:27 AM

If corruption and waste are arrested there will be huge savings to use by way of reducing electricity fuel etc. Public service, staff at corporations and Statutory Boards too must be pruned down.

5 9

Nanda LOL Wednesday, 21 August 2024 05:31 AM

Same old unrealistic politics based on popular promises. People are not fools to believe these things to come from a bankrupt treasury. Bankrupted gradually since 1994 Peoples Alliance rule with the JVP backing, through Parivasa Govt. by 2001. Then again in 2014 bankruptcy even after the end of military war successfully. Appointed the Gas-man, who was the bond-scammer according to that same Alliance politics and JVP cannot distance themselves from Rajapaksha policies which led to bankruptcy though they do not share the atrocities.

6 11

Diyasena Wednesday, 21 August 2024 05:40 AM

Anura Kumara must be having his own Oil Company to supply oil at a much cheaper price!!!

7 16

Permanent Bankruptcy Wednesday, 21 August 2024 06:01 AM

And increase the govt debt by 100%

7 16

Permanent Bankruptcy Wednesday, 21 August 2024 06:01 AM

And increase the govt debt by 100%

3 12

AJ Wednesday, 21 August 2024 06:49 AM

Ours, still floating votes,but we are align with your promises such as punishing gang of Central bank robbers ,abolishing unnecessary perks for parliamentarians so on,but we want to know how you are going to deal with your party members,who truly look down due to being JVPers

5 8

SLEx Wednesday, 21 August 2024 06:51 AM

Development bank to provide loans without collateral? Waive of loans after a survey? 10000 allowance for low income families? Reduce electricity and fuel prices? This guy is living in a wonderland. Is his plan to start printing money again to be able to do this?

5 13

Citizens Wednesday, 21 August 2024 06:52 AM

Why is he talking about not taking revenge? That itself shows how revengeful the NPP/JVP is, and they themselves know it. There are many people who are scared to make comments against them. Hope history will not repeat, after all there are still many people who remember what happened in the past!!

10 10

M Fernando Wednesday, 21 August 2024 07:00 AM

Bad idea Sir. Don't promise to subsidize.

4 12

sss Wednesday, 21 August 2024 07:05 AM

Regarding what he did, Checkout the number of small and medium scale irrigations schemes repaired under him despite heavy corruption embedded in the system which he had no power to fully eradicate. That was the reason they left the government after 20 months. He also made Milco profitable and a project to develop milk production was dropped after they resigned and was not successful after implemented by the new minister

3 6

Fabian Wednesday, 21 August 2024 07:12 AM

All empty words. It's so easy to say "we will reduce fuel prices, give loans without property guarantee...". How are you going to do it? we want a plan. Fuel and electricity can no longer be subsidized. Unless you reduce over heads of the CPC and the CEB, the base cost cannot be brought down. Loans without property guarantee are most definitely going to be defaulted. Removing VAT and reducing taxes are only going to put us in the same position we were 2 years ago, standing in fuel queues and in darkness. Any one can say anything but please don't be fooled by these empty promises.

6 13

Our vote is for AKD Wednesday, 21 August 2024 07:14 AM

Poor masses in Sri Lanka definitely need relief. If elected we hope you will walk your talk.

7 4

KP Wednesday, 21 August 2024 07:51 AM

Gota-2 Anyone can take from the treasury and distribute like Santa clause. Increasing government revenue is the difficult job.

5 14

Cecil Hedwige Wednesday, 21 August 2024 07:55 AM

Way to go.We will definitely vote for you.

10 6

Dee Wednesday, 21 August 2024 07:59 AM

Everyone seems to have ‘BIG’ plans! Sad to see so many hopefuls around. They had big dreams in 2019, went down the drain ! Now having bigger dreams, come 2026 - nightmares for all of us!

4 10

Sambo Wednesday, 21 August 2024 08:10 AM

If one brings wastage and corruption down the prices of many things could br brought down.

6 6

Bandara Gamaga Wednesday, 21 August 2024 08:22 AM

He has a direct line to Saudi king. King will give free petrol to Anura. Sirima promised rice from moon.

4 12

Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 21 August 2024 08:29 AM

Did Anura obtain a Nuclear Fusion machine to generate unlimited electricity free . ?

7 14

Bandara Wednesday, 21 August 2024 08:38 AM

This is bullshit. Without generating sufficient dollar income how can we reduce the fuel price without managing the exchange rate. Again it will be a cost to the government. It should be a long term plan. Without bullshit tell us how NPP government generate sufficient dollar income and reduce the exchange rate. Any one can dream. but it should be realistic. You always talk about rupee economy, it doesn't have any value. Sri Lanka should be an export oriented economy.

4 12

Patcitz Wednesday, 21 August 2024 08:42 AM

The valuable people vowed

0 4

Bandara Wednesday, 21 August 2024 08:42 AM

This is similar to Gotabaya's Economic strategy. We can remember what happened when he reduce the VAT. If you reduce them how can you increase the income. We can imagine our future under NPP government. You don't have realistic planning.

2 15

Jude Wednesday, 21 August 2024 08:48 AM

I reiterate, SL could be developed only through agriculture and agri based industries including livestock and poultry. Fisheries sector must upgraded to deep-sea fishing, with trawlers that have cold room facilities.

1 3

Chris Wednesday, 21 August 2024 08:59 AM

Reduce everything and how will we pay back loans and run the country? Shows his economics knowledge. Talk is cheap. Sounding like Gota.

2 12

Raven Wednesday, 21 August 2024 09:02 AM

He has offered to do the same what Ranil is already doing. In fact, Ranil is planning more.

7 10

Adwani Wednesday, 21 August 2024 09:09 AM

Upto now, Anura has made too many Vows and I hope he will not forget most of the Vows. Sometimes, he might delay some Vows seeking another to Term to complete the remaining Vows. One Vow I am urging Anura to make is, not to take the country back to Gota Era, or Wijeweera Era.

0 5

Terrence K Wednesday, 21 August 2024 09:15 AM

Anura is talking bullshit to lead the country into a precipice. Mere words will not deliver the goods we are in a bankruptcy state and the IMF are dictating what is good for the country. Tell the country how you failed when you were the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock you did bugger all only you promoted tobbaco. No second chance can be given because you are dealing with the livelihoods of the public. For God's sake please stop these utterances as you know next to nothing but talk like the hind legs of a donkey. Even today the intellectuals are misled by your deceit in gaining power and the public will have to eat grass like during the period of Gota. Zip your mouth as you are spouting plans which cannot be attained. Disaster is on the way if this fellow is handed over power by the nincompoop voters!!!!!

7 9

Yohan Wednesday, 21 August 2024 09:17 AM

Look he does not have a plan. Just a talker. He thinks tax from those businessman will solve the government revenue and his joker plan. That itself shows the zero knowledge of legal system and also those businessman will say they dont have anything to pay and willing to go to jail. Then his plan will become a joke. Never vote for a joker like this.If you vote him, you will have to take the responsibility for bankruptcy again with his joker plan.

4 7

Practical Citizen Wednesday, 21 August 2024 05:50 PM

It is true their plan seem to be, taking the wealth and assets of the hard earned people and sharing them to JVP supporters who are interested to protest against government instead of contributing to the development of the country.

0 0

Niranjan Wednesday, 21 August 2024 09:47 AM

AKD we trust all your words on stage. Hope you will not be another politician of the 75years regime. You will win. We are waiting.....

5 8

Roshanaly Wednesday, 21 August 2024 10:21 AM

Another GR promise. IMF getting ready for another Loan.

5 6

Damith Wednesday, 21 August 2024 10:24 AM

How will you reduce electricity tariff? One thing you can do is privatize the CEB to make it more efficient and reduce the oversized staff. BUT YOU ARE AGAINST BOTH OF THESE POSITIVE MEASURES

3 2

kapila Wednesday, 21 August 2024 10:26 AM

This will be worse than Gota's era

4 5

sachith Wednesday, 21 August 2024 10:30 AM

How many economist in the comment section. How actually we went to a bankrupt state when we have this many economist everywhere? They know these promises will lead to a bankruptcy, but dont know who destroyed our economy.

0 6

Mk Wednesday, 21 August 2024 11:17 AM

Hahahhaha . Reduce taxes. Reduce fuel prices. Reduce electricty tarrifs. Reduce everything until the government becomes broke. Then reduce borrowings too. These are jokes. Not economic policies.

0 4

Mohamed Burhan Wednesday, 21 August 2024 11:18 AM

Mr.Anura Dissanayake.electricity Tarif and Fuel iwas reduced by this Govt.recenly and thiese two items will go up and come down in future Govts. Since this is a 3rld world country and loans to be paid upto 100 B Dollars today. When it comes down essential prices dont get reduced but prices day by day going up.so talking and giving an election promise is nonsense.

0 2

Volker Metzger Wednesday, 21 August 2024 11:54 AM

I am amazed at how realistic most of the comments are in assessing Anura Kumara's great announcements and exposing them for what they are, not through calculated promises for the future which signal another rude awakening!!! Anura Kumara should tell the people how he intends to finance the "redistribution policy", which in principle is highly desirable, especially for the poor, since at the same time the debt burden must continue to be paid off!!! Will the economic policy supported by the NPP encourage domestic and foreign companies and investors or will it not rather cause them to be cautious!? Getting hold of the assets of the corrupt is also not likely to be an easy or quick task for his policy!!! The "principle of hope" is only enough for the people of the country for a short time, they want a sustainable, permanent improvement in their living conditions!!! I doubt whether Anura Kumara is the right man as president for this!!!

0 4

Fernando Wednesday, 21 August 2024 03:22 PM

How is he going to have a corruption free government when people like Wasantha Samarasinghe, Joseph Starlin and Mahinda Jayasinghe (the well known crooks) are definitely going to be ministers in his government?

1 2

Bernard Jayatilake Wednesday, 21 August 2024 08:06 PM

Easily said than done.

0 0

Navi Wednesday, 21 August 2024 08:22 PM

National People's Power (NPP) government will take over the country. Wishful thinking.... Voting day is miles away and it is the people that vote for whoever.

0 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.