Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa says there have been reports of gas leaks and explosions related to the new Litro gas cylinder with a white and red seal.
Speaking in Parliament today, MP Premadasa said gas explosions have not yet ended adding the subject Minister assured that substandard gas cylinders will be recalled and new Litro gas cylinders will be released to the market.
MP Premadasa said gas explosions are being reported from the new cylinders contrary to the subject Minister’s assurances.
The Opposition Leader said the explosion of several plastic cans containing nano nitrogen fertiliser has also been reported in addition to gas explosions adding the country’s foreign exchange reserves have also depleted.
MP Premadasa said questioned the actions of the government.
He claimed the responsibilities of domestic gas cylinders of Minister Bandula Gunawardana and State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna will be transferred to the Commander of the Army similar to how the responsibility of distributing fertiliser was transferred to the Army Commander.
The Opposition Leader questioned if the responsibilities of the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal will also be transferred to the Army Commander if Cabraal fails to achieve the goal of increasing the country’s foreign reserves to 3.5 billion as he claimed.
MP Premadasa said the responsibilities of the Minister of Finance will also be transferred to the Army Commander if the Minister fails to resolve the foreign exchange crisis.
On a separate note, the Opposition Leader stressed that the Opposition will extend its fullest support to the government with correct decisions reached for the development of the country.
He said the country is facing a dire situation adding it is no time to make jokes or ridicule the situation.
MP Premadasa said they are ready to fully assist the government in holding discussions with international financial institutions to strengthen the country’s financial stability.
He said they do not engage in narrow-minded selfish politics.
Meanwhile, responding to the claims of Minister Chamal Rajapaksa that he has not done any work for the people of Tissamaharama, the Opposition Leader said he along with the SJB MPs at their own expenses donated an X-Ray machine worth Rs3.5 million to the Debarawewa Base Hospital recently.
The MP said the Debarawewa Hospital contacted him yesterday over the lack of a Scanner adding the hospital is situated in the Hambantota district which elected six MPs from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and only one MP from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.
Minister Rajapaksa claimed a building commission by MP Premadasa at the Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara is still incomplete.
The Opposition Leader said the actions of the present government are evident from recent incidents.
