UNP protests outside P’ment; says no need for fuel hike

MPs of main opposition United National Party (UNP) yesterday staged a protest outside the parliament against the increase in fuel prices and the resultant increase in the cost of living.

The protest was led by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe and the UNP activists protested against the government's failure to convene parliament to discuss the price hikes and its impact on the economy.

Wickremasinghe told the media that the protests and the death of a fisherman in Chilaw during a protest could have been avoided if the government had convened parliament and resolved the issues.

Addressing the parliament, the Opposition Leader has said that the government has not given a proper reason to impose a fuel price hike at this time as world oil prices have not risen enough for the government to increase prices of fuel.

Meanwhile, UNP councilors in the Western Provincial Council traveled to attend the Council sessions in bicycles protesting against the fuel price hike.  The UNP councilors cycled to the Provincial Council premises in Battaramulla from the Koswatte junction in Nawala.

They shouted anti-government slogans while cycling to the Provincial Council.  Members of the Central Provincial Council also protested near the Pallekele Provincial Council meeting hall, media reports said. The protestors wearing black bands carried placards and called the government to provide relief to the people.