The fuel price hike decision was taken not only by himself but it was by the Cost of a living committee headed by the President and Prime Minister, and several ministers, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said today. Responding to the claims by Sagara kariyawasam, Secretary of Sri Lanka Podujana party that Energy minister Gammanpila should be held responsible for the fuel hike and should resign from the position Minister Gammanpila made these remarks. The Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is considered to be the leader of the Sri Lanka People’s Front or Party Chairman Prof. G.L Pieris were not aware of the statement made yesterday by the SLPP Secretary Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam and he questioned who empowered him to make a such a statement and he went on to say “I don’t know Why MEHEMA WENNE AI?.
Speaking at a media briefing held at his ministry today (13), he said that even the members of the Central Committee of the People’s Front had contacted him after the publication of this statement and stated that they had not taken such a collective decision in general.
“Sagara Kariyawasam is not attacking me. But he attacks Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is considered to be the leader of the People’s Front, and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Country’s leader. Sagara Kariyawasam made this announcement not even to inform Chairman GL Peiris. Whose power did he do this then?”
After the decision was taken at the Cost of Living Committee meeting held on June 10, the President along with the Prime Minister, Ministers Bandula Gunawardena, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Dallas Alahapperuma, and Namal Rajapaksa, Finance Minister, and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said. He also noted that it was signed and pointed out that it was by no means a single decision.
He said that as the Minister of Energy, he had done a great service to the development of the sector and had taken a number of steps, including oil exploration in Sri Lanka, construction of an oil refinery in Sri Lanka after 52 years. Adding that despite the increase in fuel prices in the world market since last November, the burden has not been borne by the people. He further stated that despite the reduction in government taxes, such an increase in fuel prices is no longer possible.
Minister Gammanpila also challenged Sagara Kariyawasam to come to a public debate with sufficient facts to prove that he was a failed minister who had taken a number of such decisive step
