Baku-APA. A string of protests erupted in Sri Lanka's capital this week as opposition parties staged protests against a government decision to increase electricity prices by as much as 59 percent, APA reports quoting Xinhua.
Following massive losses by the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board, which amounted to more than 47 million U.S dollars, the Sri Lankan government decided to increase electricity prices by as much as 59 percent with effect from April 12.
Opposition parties promptly criticized the government vehemently for the increase, especially since it meant a 59 percent increase for the poorest consumers.
So strong was the protest that President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his May Day speech announced a relief package that saw the electricity prices remain the same for families using less than 60 units a month and significant relief for those using less than 180 units.
Undeterred by the compromise, a massive rally was organized by the opposition on Wednesday in the capital to protest the hike. Thousands carrying placards and shouting slogans converged at the main railway station at the heart of the city and called on the government to reduce prices further.
"These price increases are foisted on the people because of the massive mismanagement and corruption of government officials. Such practices are never curbed nor are ministers punished. Instead the cost of their excesses is passed onto the masses," United National Party MP Tissa Attanayake told parliament.
Other opposition parties called on the people to boycott paying their electricity bills in protest of the increase.
Irked by the continued dissent, government supporters also staged a protest calling for public solidarity to protect the government. The rally also attempted to remind people of the positive acts taken by the government such as ending the three- decade war in Sri Lanka in 2009.
On Thursday Women for Rights, a women's organization in Sri Lanka, commenced a protest campaign against the increase in electricity tariffs, where women dashed electrical appliances on roadside as a mark of protest against the increased electricity tariffs. TVs and irons were slammed on the ground and the pictures were prominently carried in local media.
The organization claimed that the housewives are the worst affected by the electricity tariff increase.
The organization also plans to join the continuous agitation campaigns against the electricity tariff hike.
The Sri Lankan government will likely face more protests next week as trade unions gathered support to launch a countrywide strike.
Trade unions, opposition parties and civil society organizations are gearing up to hold what is expected to be a massive protest on May 21 against the electricity tariff hike.
The Coordinating Committee for a Joint Trade Union Alliance of Sri Lanka that has called for the nationwide strike says it would be a protest against the increase in electricity tariffs.
The committee will canvass for the support of agriculture, fishery and other sectors and also the civil society and continue to broaden its platform with the support of other organizations to further strengthen the agitation campaign against the tariff hike.
Despite the looming mass-scale strike, the government has so far refused to back down on the electricity increases.
However the Power and Energy Ministry has pledged to fast track additional electricity generation projects and is expected to sign an agreement with India this month to build Sri Lanka's second coal power plant in the eastern town of Trincomalee.
The controversial agreement, which has been in the pipeline since 2009, is undergoing fresh changes as the Sri Lankan government attempts to forge the most beneficial terms.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
