• The government has lost control of country’s  administration

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.   

• It will be evident that the LIOC will control the fuel  prices as even the CPC will increase prices in the days to come