UNP challenges PM to bring down CoL
 

BY BHARATHA Malawaraarachchi

THE UNP yesterday challenged Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse to take swift measures to bring down the cost of living without waiting till the Presidential election is over.

"We request Premier Rajapakse to take swift measures to bring down the rising cost of living without waiting till November 18. If he cannot do it now, how can he do that after the election," UNP's Senkadagala Organiser Chandana Sooriyabandara told a press briefing at the Opposition leader's officer yesterday.

He said since the JVP is also now supporting Premier Rajapakse, he can now bring down the cost of living very easily. "Without giving various promises, Premier Rajapakse can now take steps to bring down the cost of living and reduce the burden on the people."

UNP's Colombo district MP Bandula Gunawardena questioned as to how Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse could bring down the cost of living when his Government has already failed to do that within the last one and a half year period.

"Premier Rajapakse is giving promises to bring down the cost of living. He has already failed to control the cost of living but still the cost of living is skyrocketing," he said.

He explained that the previous UNP Government was able to control the cost of living and inflation was maintained at 3 per cent for the first time in the country.

"Now the cost of living has gone up rapidly and JVP is yet to remove the plug from the World Bank and bring down the cost of living," Gunawardena noted.

He said all efforts by the Government and the Prime Minister had failed to control the cost of living. "The JVP also failed to remove the plug and instead they suggested to the Finance Minister to introduce a lottery to control the cost of living. Still, they could not do that."

Gunawardena attributed the rising cost of living to two reasons. "One is the failure of the UPFA Government to prevent the devaluation of the rupee which appreciated during the UNP regime. The second is printing of excess money which led to a financial crisis."

Gunawardena explained that already the Government is facing a crisis as it has to settle Rs three billion to fertilizer companies over the fertiliser subsidy and another Rs nine billion as the fuel subsidy.

He questioned as to how the Premier was going to give fertiliser at Rs.350 when there is a huge amount of money to be settled.

Gunawardena stressed that only the UNP had presented a meaningful and practical solution to resolve these crisis and provide relief to the people.

"Our People's Agenda has presented an action plan to bring down the cost of living and provide relief to the people while developing every sector of the economy," he added.