No other govt. has disconnected electricity supply to temples – SJB

By Saman Indrajith

The SJB says  the SLPP-UNP administration is the only regime to have disconnected electricity supply to temples.

Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, Chief Opposition Whip, Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella, said: “The President, the Cabinet of Ministers, the MPs and officials representing the executive have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution.  But in recent months we have seen that the government has failed to carry out its duty to foster and protect Buddhism. Electricity supply to some Buddhist temples, including the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, c has been disconnected. Our leader Sajith

Premadasa paid the bill and restored the supply to the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya. I spoke to several temples this morning and found that the electricity supply to many temples had been cut off. This is the first ever government to send an electricity bill to the Dalada Maligawa for conducting the annual Dalada Perahera.”

Kiriella said that the problem of electricity supply to temples had been raised during the last couple of years. “I raised this issue in the House one and a half years back and asked the Minister of Power what plans that the government had to solve this issue. The Minister responded that arrangements were being made to provide solar power to every temple and religious institutions, but he has reneged on his promise.”