CHAOS IN HOUSE OVER HIKE IN ELECTRICITY TARIFF

Sittings adjourned prematurely

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa adjourned parliamentary sittings two hours after it began at 2.43 p.m. yesterday as a result of the chaos that prevailed following a protest by the United National Party (UNP) MPs in the Well of the House over the

The electricity tariff hike is a constitutional violation by the Government, which is bound to ensure social security and the people’s welfare

electricity tariff hike. Sittings were scheduled to end only at 6.30 p.m.

Shortly after question time, Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga made a statement under Standing Order 23(2) on the electricity price hike. It was followed by the response of Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

Raising a point of order, UNP MP Sajith Premadasa quoted a section of the Constitution and said the electricity tariff hike was a constitutional violation by the government, which was bound to ensure social security and the people’s welfare.

The Speaker said he could not allow anyone to make speeches under the guise of raising a point of order, except at times set aside for the purpose. This resulted in other UNP MPs rising to their feet and shouting in protest over the price hike.

Angered by the Speaker’s refusal to allow them to raise points of order on the traffic hike, UNP MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara, Ajith P. Perera, Dilip Wedaarachchi, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Ravi Karunanayake trooped into the Well of the House and walked up to the Speaker’s table.

They shouted out that the Government had announced an unreasonable electricity price hike. Senior UNP members Gamini Jayawickrama Perera and John Amaratunga remained in the isles during the protest.

With the UNP members refusing to remain silent, the Speaker adjourned sittings till 1.00 p.m. today. Because of the premature adjournment, the UNP was denied the opportunity of moving an adjournment motion on the concerns facing the agriculture sector.

The UNP demanded a full day’s debate on the electricity crisis today. Howev-

Ministers who live in official bungalows paying a maximum of Rs.2,000 only irrespective of the amount of electricity they use are now asking for more relief

er, House Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva refused permission to do so.

“We have decided on tomorrow’s business. If the UNP wants a debate, they can request it at the party leaders’ meeting tomorrow. Then, we can fix a date during the next parliamentary week,” he said.

Earlier in his statement Mr. Amaratunga said the people were being crushed by the spiralling cost of living, on top of which the Government has decided to raise the electricity tariff that in some in- stances was as high as 70%.

He said the worst affected were those consumers at the lower end of the scale and asked whether it was the policy of this Government to confine the poorer to live darkened lives while allowing the richer to enjoy luxurious air-conditioned and well-lit lives.

Mr. Amaratunge said the poorest of the consumers live in small houses paying a higher tariff even as high as 75%. The middle income people pay an increase of 50% while the very rich who live in air-conditioned luxury houses pay less than 25%.

“According to reports Ministers who live in official bungalows paying a maximum of Rs.2,000 only irrespective of the amount of electricity they use, are now asking for a relief for themselves. This increase is bound to affect every activity since today there is hardly any economic activity that is not dependent on electricity. The petrol that is pumped into our vehicles is not handpumped. The baker’s oven is electricity driven. The dentist no longer uses a foot pedal as in the old days. All these will then have to increase their rates if they are to continue to be economically viable. This will then add to the already spiralling cost of living,” Mr. Amaratunge said.