• Several SLPP MPs express opposition within party forums
• MP Jagath Kumara says decision on continued support will be taken later
• S.B. says people must pay for units used or reduce consumption

A number of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs have expressed, within the party, their opposition to the proposed increase in electricity tariffs, but are reluctant to express it openly or leave the Government, The Morning learnt.

According to sources within the SLPP, the tariff hike, championed by Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera and backed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has proven controversial due to certain MPs’ concerns about how it would affect their electorates and thereby their prospects at future elections. However, none of the MPs are expected to leave the Government, and, at most, may voice their reservations about the tariff hike to the media.

Meanwhile, SLPP MP Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi, speaking to The Morning said that the increase in electricity tariffs at a time when it is difficult for the people to meet their basic needs in the face of the ever-increasing cost of living and inflation cannot be approved at all. He said that even if the politicians who do not work together with the people do not understand the problems faced by the people, and instead support the relevant tariff hikes, all MPs elected by the people’s vote have a responsibility to stand up for the people.

“We accept that the Government needs money in the current economic situation, but we need to procure that money by reducing corruption, irregularities, and wastage, and not by burdening the people. Therefore, if it is necessary to increase electricity tariffs, it should be applied to those who use a large number of electricity units, and large-scale businessmen. We request the Government not to oppress the low-income and middle-class people any further,” he added.

Speaking further, Sumithraarachchi said that the recent statement made by Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera, to the effect that power cuts will have to be increased unless electricity tariffs are increased, is an erroneous statement. He said that according to the theory implied in that statement, even the flight operations of SriLankan Airlines, which is incurring huge losses, will have to be suspended. According to Wijesekera’s theory, it is not right to operate institutions like the SriLankan Airlines with taxpayer funds, he claimed.

“President Ranil Wickremesinghe came to power and eliminated the queues in the country. Currently, a significant group of tourists and investments are flowing into the country. Also, the difficulties faced by the people have reduced to some extent. Therefore, we are ready to support the President’s programme. However, when we point out the shortcomings, the Government has a responsibility to accept them and to take necessary measures. If the people continue to be inconvenienced, we will have to decide whether or not to continue supporting the Government,” he added.

Meanwhile, SLPP MP S.B. Dissanayake told The Morning that regardless of the relevant rates, the customers have the responsibility to pay the tariffs related to the electricity and water units that they use. He mentioned that if the tariffs are high, the consumers should work to reduce the use of electricity and water, and that it is unacceptable to subsidise such facilities. He also said that leaders like former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad developed countries by not giving such subsidies.

When the then-Government, led by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was working to hand over the operation of the Yugadanavi Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya to a US-based company, a number of MPs representing the SLPP, including current MPs Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, and Vasudeva Nanayakkara, who held Cabinet Ministerial positions at the time, opposed the plan, and challenged the deal in court. However, the Government at the time ignored the objections and proceeded with the relevant deal, which resulted in a number of SLPP MPs including the aforesaid trio leaving the Government and since functioning as independent MPs in Parliament.