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by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The JVP in collaboration with trade unions and other civic organisations will conduct demonstrations at key cities in 18 districts on January 20 to protest against the high cost of living urging the Government to take immediate measures to overcome the economic crisis faced by the people.

JVP MP Vijitha Herath told a press conference in Colombo yesterday that the JVP Politburo which met on January 12 laid emphasis on the economic crisis and appointed a five-member committee under the chairmanship of JVP MP Lal Kantha to rescue the people from economic difficulties.

He said economic management was one of the key pledges of the UNF Government which came to power last year. They pledged to bring prosperity to the people. The Government has put more burdens on the people. In addition, VAT was introduced to replace the GST preventing even the relief given to people for essential goods, Herath said.

The Government has opened not only the current account but also the capital account to cater to international racketeers needs.

Therefore nothing has been gained by the people from the economic management of the Government, he said.

Herath said the JVP will force the Government to provide immediate solutions to the economic crisis. If not the JVP will take every possible step against the Government.

JVP MP Lal Kantha said the Government during its one year in office has done away with all relief measures given to the people.

Fertiliser prices have been increased by 100 per cent. This has become a severe problem.

In addition, the price of water, fuel, gas, postal and telecommunication charges have also rapidly increased. He said the JVP has discussed with community organisations at district level to jointly conduct this demonstration. In future, the JVP will bring this district level demonstration to Colombo. The JVP hopes to combine this demonstration with other opposition parties too. The JVP has discussed with PA and Sihala Urumaya regarding this, Kantha said.

"The nature of the demonstration will be decided based on the response made by the Government to our demands," he said.

Meanwhile the JVP has also requested to cancel the pension of Parliament MPs. People face severe hardships today. The JVP has not yet discussed this with opposition parties.

"A final decision will be taken after discussions with opposition parties. Our demand is to cancel the pension of MPs without cancelling the pension of public servants," he said.

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