The drama staged by the Power Minister and the Energy Minister recently was scripted by the government, alleged Convener of the ‘Samagi Ekabaddha Khanijathel Wurthiya Samithi Sammelanaya‘ Ananda Palitha, speaking to a briefing held in Colombo.
Had it not been scripted by the government, Udaya Gammanpila must be removed from his portfolio as the Minister of Energy, he pointed out.
“Now, it is said that crude oil is to be imported to the Refinery on the 30th. As the Refinery is set to be operated, fuel is being purchased from India for the CEB in a hurry, when it is possible to produce them 100 per cent in the refinery. It is not possible to pay India in dollars when the CEB cannot afford even rupees, is it? It will probably further drag the country down. That being said, this is divided into two points. One, the Minister tabled special suggestions to solve this crisis. One of the suggestions was the immediate implementation of the Fuel Price Formula. Will dollars be flown this way if the Fuel Price Formula is implemented? Will ships sails for free? Will the people receive more money in their hands? Will free fuel be given? No… This attempt is to increase the price of fuel. Why? It was not slashed when there was a declining for fifteen months. When there was a slight surge for two months, they increased the price by rupees on the grounds of the dollar crisis and on the claim of curbing the debts. The debts soared. Then it was increased on December 20 on the justification of curbing the consumption and saving dollars, hence the global price was dropping at that time. Now, when the price is increasing in the global market, we have no way of increasing it, because it was already increased when the global price was dropping. The soaring on December 20 had taken place when the price was dropping for three consecutive months. Now, as they cannot afford to increase again, they attempt to purchase fuel for the CEB from India. Now, it is said that the CPC cannot function. This drama was being staged by the Power Minister and the Energy Minister on the blessings of the government. If that is not the case, the Energy Minister must be removed.”
MIAP
