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UNP Manifesto - Energy sector

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.

UNP's 'People's Agenda'

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.

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