Reading the election Manifesto of the UNP of the Energy Sector, I
wondered whether it had been prepared with the knowledge and consent of
P. Dayaratna, a Minister in charge of Power and Energy, under the
previous regimes for over a decade and also Dr. Mohan Munasinghe, the
internationally famed energy expert, who was once the Advisor to the
Government of J.R. Jayewardene, and also the previous UNP government of
Ranil Wickremesinghe in an honorary capacity.
The manifesto states "We are facing a crisis in Power and Energy like
never before. The crisis has been exacerbated due to the fact no new
plan to address this crisis.
This is far from the truth and it is an insult to professionals
specially the electrical engineers of the CEB, consultants, experts and
the Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka who have diligently worked out
plans, short, medium and long, to implement them according to schedule.
Sadly the politicians, the governments did not give them the necessary
backing for reasons best not said as it could be disgusting, to those
who love this country.
In the plans formulated was the construction of a Coal Plant at
Norochcholai, which had on overwhelming support of Industrialists,
Professionals and the ordinary consumer.
This was proved at a vastly attended seminar conducted by the
Institute of Engineers, where the then Minister for Power and Energy,
Karu Jayasuriya was the chief guest. It should be mentioned in fairness
to Jayasuriya he took all pains by encouraging the CEB engineers to hold
seminars, TV discussions to promote the project.
Unfortunately, after all the propaganda work was done to educate the
public, he under pressure from various sources dropped the project like
a hot potato, giving no valid reason, but it would appear that his
colleagues in the Cabinet and the Bishop of Chilaw who persistently
objected may have influenced. Had the UNP government taken action to
implement this project, this calamitous situation would have not arisen.
Secondly, the manifesto states "We will construct either Coal or Gas
stations in Hambantota and Trincomalee". This means that the
Norochcholai Coal Power Plant which has now reached the stages of
funding by the Chinese Government will be stopped if the UNP comes to
power. If so, when could we expect a coal or gas plant at Hambantota or
Trinco come into operation?
I hope that the UNP authorities or experts who advised, know that it
would take another, at least 10 years. Can we wait till then? How will
the development of this country industrially and economically if this
vital input electricity, which is also a componant to bring down the
cost of living be delayed for another 10 years?
It is sad to see UNP stalwarts like Tissa Attanayaka MP and Kabir
Hashim, MP. spearheading demonstrations to have the Norochcholai project
stopped. Have they ever read the Report of M/s. Ramboll to understand
the working of the plant, before they could say that it will affect the
fishermen, the environment and most importantly the Holy Shrine at
Talawila.
I would invite them and those of the UNP to study this report of M/s.
Ramboll, foreign independent consultants appointed with the approval of
the Church, specially to look after the interest of the Shrine.
Let not the UNP, if it comes to power make the same mistake it made
in stopping the Norochcholai Coal Power project which will have
disastrous effects.
It is hoped that Mr. Dayaratne, the former Minister for Power and
Energy, and in no measures Dr. Mohan Munasinghe, the Energy Expert, if
he has not left due to disgust, or keep party leanings aside, advise the
UNP hierarchy to drop this objection.
G. A. D. SIRIMAL, Boralesgamuwa
Suggested work plans based on various projects for the fast
development of the country have been produced in the UNP manifesto.
Thorough comparison with the past experience of the UNP governance, no
one can expect such a progress as mentioned in the 'People's Agenda'.
Cost of living-Paddy Marketing Board used to purchase twenty per cent
of the paddy that farmers produced at a reasonable price compelling the
private sector to purchase at a higher price and maintained a healthy
paddy market during the last PA regime.
The UNF Government destroyed the entire system, and sold out the
Co-operative Wholesale Establishment where the poor and middle class
families enjoyed a moderate marketing facilities. Now, the UNP
leadership's crying over a kitchen war, increasing the price of most
essential food items.
A packet of milk powder (Highland) is available at Rs. 124.25, 500
grams dhal is freely available in the market at Rs. 28-30 and 500 grams
of dried sprats at Rs. 85.00. The UNP presidential candidate has
promised to provide these items at Rs. 139.00, Rs. 34.00 and Rs. 94.00
respectively to bring down the cost of living.
Job market - The UNF Government issued a circular suspending new
recruitment to the public sector on the instructions of the World Bank.
They failed to offer a single letter of appointment through their job
market. Such a political party promised to create 200,000 job
opportunities during the first year and 1,000,000 within five years.
Agriculture - The UNF Government sold 50 kilos fertiliser at Rs.
1450.00 which was available at Rs. 250.00 during the previous PA regime.
It was the Government that came up with the intention of selling
water in the reservoirs to farmers and filling up paddy fields to
construct garment factories.
The UNF Government ruined the entire agriculture sector allowing the
farmers to drink poison and commit suicide. Now, they promise guaranteed
price of Rs. 17.00 per one kilo of paddy and all types of fertiliser at
Rs. 550 for 50 kilogram bag.
Defeat of separatism and consensus - The UNP leadership invites the
SLFP, JVP, SLMC and all religious leaders to join hands for a permanent
resolution to the ethnic conflict.
In the capacity of the Prime Minister he signed the Cease Fire
Agreement with the leader of the LTTE and then brought to the notice of
the President. He did not invite the attention of anybody at that
crucial time, because the terms and conditions laid down in the
agreement are in favour of the LTTE.
The PA Government introduced a political package late back in 1995
and requested the UNP and groups of politicians to participate on a
political programme to end the long fighting battle between the LTTE and
the Government Forces and usher lasting peace among all races under one
national flag. At the beginning it was opposed by the UNP led by Ranil
Wickremesinghe making irresponsible allegations and later on they got
together and held many conferences. Finally, the UNP agreed to introduce
the new Constitution to the parliament.
During the historic speech presented by the President which lasted
for 90 minutes in the Parliament on August 3, 2000, the very same UNP
politicians were engaged in a ugly manner to disturb the President's
address.
That was the end of consensus. Now, Ranil says that he himself cannot
solve the ethnic problem alone and invites the SLFP to support him.
The UNP leadership think the intelligent voters of the country are
fools and they can cheat and mislead them by introducing unacceptable
promises and irresponsible utterances.
The general view of the voters is that there are no politicians in
the present UNP politics field who can change the traditional working
dress of our farmers into bell-bottoms, Nike T/Shirts and convert the
Sri Lanka into a Parakramabahu era, build the world's largest 'Dagoba'
and ban the traditional dowry system.
The UNP leadership has forgotten that Dingiri Banda's fruits and
Appuhamy's vegetables are still in stocks from 1999 and the young boys
and girls are awaiting their rewards-gold bracelets, jeans, chewing gum
and CDs.
MAHINDA NIHAL PERERA, Moratuwa |