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Omalpe Sobitha Thero
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Omalpe Sobitha Thero claims he will initiate a mass campaign in Sri Lanka against the increased electricity tariffs by promoting the non-payment of electricity bills.
Attending a protest against the increased tariffs, Chief Sanghanayake (Dakshina Lankawa) of the Ramanna Sect said he is unable to pay the current electricity bills and would therefore refrain from paying them. “The tariffs have been increased in a very unfair manner,” Sobitha Thero opined.
The protest was held in front of the Bodhiraja Dharmayathanaya in Embilipitiya yesterday with the attendance of the Maha Sangha led by the Thero.
He pointed out that citizens in the UK are opposing the increased tariffs there and the same must take place in Sri Lanka. “Hundreds of thousands are signing petitions against the hikes in the UK. We will commence a program to promote the non-payment of bills by taking the Gandhian approach in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Sobitha Thero accused the Ceylon Electricity Board of increasing tariffs on religious institutions by 500 per cent. “We will not pay these bills,” he said, adding that all religious leaders of all faiths must come together to fight against the unjust electricity tariff hike.
He questioned if the Government is attempting to dissuade the people from taking part in religious observances through such acts. “The young Bhikkus must now study by candlelight. We will have to conduct religious practices using lamps in temples,” he said.
He demanded the Government reduce electricity tariffs and recover stolen funds from those responsible to cover the budget deficit instead of taxing the people of Sri Lanka.
