President announces reduction in fuel, electricity prices

Wednesday, 17 September 2014 01:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government slashed fuel and energy prices in a surprise move last evening, days ahead of a decisive election. President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced reductions in diesel, petrol and kerosene and a 25% reduction in electricity tariffs at the inauguration of Unit II of the Norochcholai Power Plant, together with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping. “In appreciation of your Excellency’s visit and enormous contribution to reduce cost of electricity and energy, I now announce that electricity bills of the people will be reduced by 25 percent with effect from today. I also announce that price of kerosene will be reduced by Rs. 20 per litre, price of petrol by Rs. 5 per litre and price of diesel by Rs. 3 per litre today. This will benefit all households in Sri Lanka,” the President said. Kerosene, the poor man’s fuel, has been reduced by Rs. 20 with effect from midnight Tuesday, a significant reduction. Diesel and petrol have been reduced by Rs. 3 and Rs. 5 respectively. The Government move has provoked Opposition allegations that it was fearing defeat in the 20 September poll in the Uva Province.

Cuts because of Harin, claims Ranjan

The main Opposition claimed President Rajapaksa’s move was in fear of defeat in the 20 September poll in the Uva Province “Fuel and electricity prices have shot down because of a fear of Harin Fernando,” UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake told the Daily FT last evening. “If the reductions were possible, why did the Government wait until 72 hours before election day?” Ramanayake queried. Fernando’s popularity, particularly in the Badulla District, had prompted the Government’s 11th hour election gimmick,” Ramanayake charged. Elections for the Uva Provincial Council take place on Saturday, 20 September, with former UNP Parliamentarian Fernando having quit his seat in the legislature to contest as the main Opposition’s chief ministerial candidate. Fernando’s entry into the fray has energised the UNP campaign in the region even though the Moneragala District remains a stronghold of the ruling UPFA. (DB)