UNP hands over no confidence motion against Power and Energy Minister

Tuesday, 30 April 2013 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) has handed in a no confidence motion against Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi as part of its campaign against the electricity tariff hike.

UNP parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayaka handed the motion signed by UNP parliamentarians to the Secretary General of parliament, Dhammika Dissanayake.

“It is obvious that the minister has deliberately misled the House and in doing so is guilty of a breach of privilege of the whole House and also its members. In the circumstances, this House resolves that it no longer has any confidence in Pavithra Wanniarachchi to continue as the Minister of Power and Energy,” the motion handed in by the UNP said. The motion points out that Wanniarachchi had told the House that the electricity tariff hike was proposed by her predecessor, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, who has denied it and also challenged her to substantiate her statement.