The JVP yesterday warned that there would be a ‘massive explosion’ unless the Rajapaksa administration stopped all of its corruption, waste and irregularities that had directly contributed the rising cost of living over the past two years.
Addressing a press conference at the National Library Services Board, JVP heavyweight Lal Kantha asserted that such an eventuality would be inevitable and would lead to the downfall of the government which the JVP helped to form. "President Rajapaksa will not survive," he said.
The Anuradhapura district MP said that the ongoing combined security forces campaign against the LTTE had forced them not to go all out against the government. He said that they were in a tight spot as the ground situation wasn’t conducive for a cohesive political campaign to force the government to its knees primarily due to the successful military campaign
The JVP has asked the government to withdraw the decision to increase electricity tariffs immediately. JVP Parliamentarian Lal Kanthe addressing a media briefing held in Colombo today said the decision taken by the government would never be approved.
Speaking further Mr. Lal Kanthe said, “The government has already made the people aware through advertisements and media that electricity charges have to be increased by a big margin. The reason they indicate for this increase is the increase of fuel prices in the world market and non availability of the subsidy made available to the Petroleum Corporation until recently. These are not reasons that can be accepted. The government, in order not to increase electricity charges, is levying an extra tax of Rs.9.00 from each liter of petrol. This was announced through the ministry. This tax is levied even from consumers who don’t use electricity. As such, this decision of the government to increase electricity charges cannot be accepted.”
“This tax for petrol is collected from petrol issued by Indian Oil Company (IOC) as well, but the government does not get this money from IOC. In a situation where IOC is involved in 1/3rd share of fuel market in Sri Lanka the Indian company gets a very large profit by not returning the levied tax.
Also, the government increases electricity charges at a time when all other consumer goods and services have been increased while no increase had taken place in people’s incomes. The prices of goods and services, under this government, have increased more than at any other time. During the two year period of this government the price of Rice has increased by Rs.33.00, potatoes by Rs.43.00, dhal by Rs.49.00 and coconut by Rs.20.00. The living index that was 4555.5 in 2005 has increased to 6302.5 – an increase of 2247. However, the income of state employees has not increased since 2005.”
Speaking further Mr. Lal Kanthe said, “Electricity Board has been running at a loss since 1995. Non implementing of the electricity generating plan, no action being taken against fraud and corruption (As revealed by COPE report) in the board and inefficiency have been identified as the main causes for the loss the board has subjected to. However, the government, instead of finding solutions for these issues, is trying to burden the people. He said there was information that the plan is to increase the electricity charges by a big margin and when people start opposing it to bring it down to the expected level.
This increase of electricity charges cannot be accepted in a situation when there are a lot that the government should do and also when the burden of fraud and corruption of the ruling class is put on people’s shoulders. Hence, we demand that the government should withdraw the decision to increase electricity charges. If the government fails to do so the JVP would not hesitate to come down to the streets with the masses. If masses turn out to campaign against the government at a time when Security Forces are engaged in defeating terrorism, the government will have to bear the consequences of such a situation,” said Mr. Lal Kanthe.
JVP Parliamentarians Piyasiri Wijenayake and Wasanthe Samarasinghe too were present.
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