Prime Minister defends “achcharu” Govt.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday defended the policies of the coalition Government, which has been termed as an “achcharu” Government by detractors.

Speaking at an event in Walapane, the Prime Minister said that the “achcharu” Government had achieved in 100 days what former President Mahinda Rajapaksa could not achieve in five years.

“We have at least reduced the cost of living burden on the people,” he said.

Wickremesinghe noted that President Maithripala Sirisena was elected to power in January in order to bring about change in the country.

The Prime Minister said the former President was questioning the failure of the new Government to take some of the development projects forward.

However, he said that according to public opinion, while there were new roads and highways, they could not make full use of them as the cost of fuel was high.

The Prime Minister noted that now the public was able to pump full tanks of fuel and travel around since the new Government had reduced the cost of fuel. (Colombo Gazette)

UNP wants Parliament polls soon

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday said that Parliamentary elections must be held soon since the current Government had gone beyond its term.

UNP MP and Minister of Buddha Sasana and Public Administration Karu Jayasuriya said that the Government was given a mandate to be in office only for 100 days.

“We have no right to continue beyond 100 days,” Jayasuriya said in Kandy after meeting the new Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya chapter.

He said that the UNP hoped an agreement would be reached on electoral reforms at the next Cabinet meeting, after which Parliament could be dissolved and fresh elections held.

He said that several proposals had been submitted on electoral reforms, the proposals were now being discussed by a committee and a final decision was expected to be reached this week.