Electricity - It was I who forced the Govt. to cut tariffs: Ranil

Referring to the government’s decision to slash March, April and May electricity tariffs by 25 per cent, former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said it was he who got this concession for the people.

He told an election meeting in Mahara that the government had come up with this concession only after he gave an election pledge to allow the people to pay their utility bills during the lock-down period in 12 installments.

“I was able get a concession introduced even before coming to power. I will get more concessions if you vote for the UNP at the general election,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said adding that slashing the electrify tariffs for those who use up to 90 units will not help many of the consumers. “You will use up to 90 units just by using your TV. Therefore the tariff slashing will not be useful to the people as anticipated,” he said.

While highlighting that fact that Sri Lanka has a foreign exchange shortage of US$6 billion, Mr. Wickremesinghe said a UNP government would be able to generate this amount and stabilize the economy.

UNP Gampaha District candidate Arjuna Ranatunga, who was appointed as the party’s Gamapaha District Organizer said he would make the party victorious in the years to come. “It is good to see the UNP getting cleaned up,” he said referring to those who quit the UNP and formed the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB),” he said. (Yohan Perera)