SJB guns for Gammanpila with no-confidence motion

Thursday, 17 June 2021 01:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa signs the no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila. General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara and MPs Imtiaz Bakeer Markar and Mujibur Rahman look on

Motion to be handed over to Speaker this week
SJB to seek early date for debate
Motion cites recent fuel hike and failure to reduce prices amidst falling world oil prices as reasons for losing confidence in Minister

The main Opposition – the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) – is all set to hand over a no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila over the recent sharp fuel price hike.

The motion signed by 12 SJB MPs has been addressed to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and will be handed over this week.

A SJB source said the party had sought an appointment with the Speaker and is awaiting a response.

The motion states that while world oil prices have been falling since March last year, fuel prices in the country have remained the same with consumers not given the benefit of falling prices.

It said that the Government had promised not to increase prices for two years after taking office, but has reneged on this while Parliament and the public have been kept in the dark about the status of the ‘Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund’ which was proposed in March last year.

The SJB said they would seek an early date for the debate on the no-confidence motion.

The recent fuel hike has caused dissension within Government ranks with several voicing opposition to the move.

Gammanpila says SJB move is childish