Parliament

“Ranil Wickremesinghe is the best leader to take us out of economic crisis”

The House yesterday debated on the policy statement made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the ceremonial opening of the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament.

Opening the debate, SLPP MP Sanjeeva Edirimanna noted that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is the ideal leader to lead the country during this time of economic crisis, as such serious task demands a politician who has minimum affiliations to political parties.

MP Edirimanna noted that the country needs to work on its policies while being sensitive to the issues faced by the people.

MP Edirimanna, criticizing the Opposition, pointed out that the Opposition MPs did not have the discipline to remain in the House during the President’s speech and their behaviour was witnessed by many foreign diplomats who were present for the ceremonial opening.

“When the times are difficult, the decisions we need to take are not necessarily easy or popular. Mostly correct decisions are not popular decisions either.”

“However, the Government is ready to respond sensitively to the problems of the people. For example, the Government is readdressing the issues regarding taxation on certain incomes,” MP Edirimanna said.

 

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“Govt is taking decisions for country’s future, not for LG Polls”

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera expressed his regrets for not being able to supply electricity without interruption which causes an extra burden on the people.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, the Power and Energy Minister pointed out that the Government’s responsibility is to take policy decisions aiming for the country’s future and not the Local Government election.

Minister Wijesekera made these observations joining the debate on the policy statement presented by the President in Parliament on Wednesday (8).

“I remember some groups were against establishing the Norochcholai power plant. But now it has become a national resource. Some people spread rumours saying that the Government is purposely interrupting the power supply during the A/L Exam period. Both President Ranil Wickremesinghe and I informed the matters regarding the power supply at the beginning of this year. We stressed the need to increase the electricity tariff for an uninterrupted power supply. Nobody listened. They are checking if the power interruptions could be extended closer to the LG polls,” Minister Wijesekera said.

 

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Why are apartment complexes given special treatment ?

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera stated that the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted a special electricity tariff reduction to apartment complexes.

The Minister pointed out that electricity could be provided to normal housing units at a concessionary rate if the special relief given to apartment complexes was revoked.

Minister Wijesekera questioned as to why the PUCSL had taken such a decision. He noted that the electricity tariff charged to apartment complexes are 50 percent lower than that of the normal housing units.

Minister Wijesekera said that he expects the PUSCL to reverse the relief granted to apartment complexes, and if this is done, the Government could provide more relief to domestic consumers.

He said that the power crisis has worsened due to the actions of the PUCSL. The Minister also said that the PUCSL is supposed to amend the tariff proposal and give approval by February 15.

 

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SJB boycotts Adjournment Debate

 

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday (09) boycotted the Adjournment Debate on the Government’s Policy Statement presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to the House last Wednesday. The Adjournment Debate commenced yesterday and it continues today (10). SJB boycotted the President’s throne speech held last Wednesday as well.