Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka says instead of increasing electricity tariffs by 600 percent, the government should provide relief to the poor to pay their monthly electricity bills.
Speaking to media in Colombo, MP Ranawaka said the proposed electricity tariff increase is unacceptable.
The Parliamentarian also noted that due to the current fuel crisis all sectors have been collapsed. He said every sector is suffering due to the fuel shortage.
MP Champika Ranawaka noted that farmers are unable to begin harvesting or transport their produce to vendors.
He said traders are struggling to transport vegetables and fruits to various parts of the country and therefore the prices of all goods have increased steeply.
MP Champika Ranawaka noted that all goods have increased by 300 percent while in some cases they have increased by 500 to 1,000 percent.
The Parliamentarian added that international media outlets have reported that the government has stopped issuing fuel to people.
He said in this backdrop, even though the Minister of Tourism has been inviting people to visit Sri Lanka, no one will visit the country.
He said the reality is that all 5.4 million vehicles are on the road due to the fuel crisis.
Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka said the President, the former Minister of Finance, the former Secretary to the President and the former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka should be held responsible to the current economic crisis.
He said those supported the decision to oppose debt restructuring and those who took decisions to stop fuel imports must also be held responsible.
MP Champika Ranawaka said international agencies and Sri Lankans living overseas will not trust the government if those who are responsible for the current crisis are part of the decision making process.
He said therefore people and the government must think anew.
