UNP Deputy Leader demands to know whose words are to be believed as Minister Lokuge and CEB issue contradictory statements

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday said Power Minister Gamini Lokuge went around giving voice cuts that there would be an uninterrupted power supply, but the CEB was implementing scheduled power cuts.

Speaking at a ceremony after opening a children’s park at the Siymbalapewatte in Biyagama, the UNP deputy leader demanded to know whose words should people believe. “Should we believe the words of the Minister or the CEB? Since the day the Minister was making that promise, power cuts are effected throughout the country, regionwise. People are now in the queues to buy candles. The government is ushering this nation towards the stone age it seems,” the UNP Deputy Leader said.

“There are shortages of all food items. We have gas, milk powder and kerosene oil queues. The latest is going to be the queue for candles.

“The CEB has obtained the permission of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for power cuts until July this year.

The CEB General Manager has told the media that they have obtained permission but they would not implement power cuts strictly. In the meantime the Minister says that there would be no power cuts. However, there had been many instances of power cuts during the day time and night time. How can a country go forward in this manner? Will the investors come to a country with scheduled power cuts?” Wijewardene queried.

Chief Incumbent of the Sri Sambodhi Vihara of Siyambalapewatte, Ven Hambegamuwe Sashanasiri Nayaka Thera, Asanka Wijayalath of Siyambalapewatte Rural Development Society, Biyagama Electorate Manager Indrasiri Jayasinghe, Opposition leader of the Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha Prasanna Sampath, Biyagama PS member Mali Algama were also present.