President to appoint APC To bring down CoL

Padma Weragodaarachchi

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapakse has made a written request to appoint an All Party Parliamentary Committee to make inquiries and propose steps to bring down the cost of living. This was announced by Speaker W.J.M.Lokubandara at the Party Leaders' Meeting held in the Parliamentary Complex yesterday.

Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and the Chief Government Whip, Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle addressing the meeting said this request is in keeping with the President's principle of consulting all parties when solving common problems.

MP Joseph Michael Perera, the only MP attended on behalf of the UNP insinuated as to why the Opposition should undertake the responsibility of the Government. He said his party's ideas on the matter cannot be expressed immediately and sought time till the next meeting to inform the House, the opinion of his party.

Deputy Speaker Geethanjana Gunawardena, Committee Chairman M. Sachchithanandan, MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, Minister Dew Gunasekera and MP Mutthu Sivalingam also spoke.