Gammanpila paints doomsday scenario; calls on SJB to form interim Govt
Former Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila, sacked from his post by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last month, warns that an impending fuel shortage would have disastrous consequences and could pave the way for anarchy.
When fuel supplies under Indian assistance is fully utilised, there is no means for financing fuel imports, he says in a Q & A. Securing another credit line, when the Government has declared bankruptcy, is highly unlikely. As energy minister, I forwarded eleven different cabinet memoranda. They were ignored. We propose to publish them so the people will become aware that government leaders have been sitting on this crucial issue since February 2021. He charged that they did not realise the seriousness.
He said if transport services come to a grinding halt due to lack of fuel, the movement of grain, food, and vegetables from rural areas to the cities will become difficult. It will create shortages. That can reach starvation levels at some point. Thieving will increase and Police, who are already deployed, will not be able to help much. Farmers will lose their income. Neither patients nor doctors will be able to visit hospitals. Factories will be forced to shut down since they will not have fuel to power their generators. The agricultural sector is not labour intensive anymore. They need both diesel and kerosene for their equipment for harvest. Fishermen will not be able to go out to sea.
What is your answer to overcome such a disastrous situation? The 42 former Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP)-led coalition members, who now sit as “independents” in the opposition have been talking to the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) about an interim government. On Thursday, we wrote to their leader, Sajith Premadasa. We told him that he could form even a minority government without us. We could, however, extend our backing. On the other hand, if they needed our support (and others too), we could all form an interim government. We learn that they are not in favour of both. They do not want to serve under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and insist that he should step down. They are seeking fresh elections. A formal response is still being awaited from them.
What about the Vote of No Confidence against the government? Here again, there was a mistake by the SJB in the timing. They handed it over last Tuesday to the Speaker, which was already declared a public holiday. It is yet to be listed in the Order Book and a date fixed for a debate. It will happen after May 17. We want to know from the SJB what they want to do? Why are they moving the motion if they are not prepared to form an interim government? They have not given us a clear answer.
On joining an interim government: We are still talking to the SJB. There are several options that are being discussed. We are yet to hear a favourable response from them.