Karu says UNP’s hydro power projects saved the day

UNP Parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday if not for hydro power plants constructed by the UNP, which generates about 30%-40% hydro power free of charge, the situation would have been worse today.

“Now the Government has started to blame the UNP for the electricity tariff hikes just as they accused the diaspora when something arose concerning international matters and accused the Finance Ministry Secretary when there is a financial crisis in the country,” he said.

Jayasuriya told a news conference that when the UNP took over the country in 2001 there was a grave electricity crisis in the country with eight-hour power cuts being inflicted, but the UNP was able to solve it due to proper management.

“In my tenure as the Power and Energy Minister, we had effective plans to develop the Ministry. Some accused us of trying to privatise the Ministry. We managed to complete the Kukuleganga project successfully and had begun the construction work of the Upper Kotmale on a loan obtained under reasonable conditions when our Government was dissolved. We had planned to shift the Norochcholai coal power plant to Hambantota according to experts’ advice and Japan had promised to grant us a loan on reasonable conditions. The Government must take the responsibility for the Norochcholai coal power plant,” he added.

Jayasuriya said the Public Utility Commission was initiated not to burden the people but to mete out justice to the people by paying heed to their grievances.