Buddhist priest cautions politicians to go easy on Govt. petrol

Pulse of the People by Ananda Kannangara

A lottery ticket seller Upul Vidanapathirana of Aturugiriya was unhappy over price increase on diesel which has a bearing on vegetable and fish transport to Colombo from outstations.

"But we have to tolerate the price hike at this juncture, considering the current war situation in the North into account," he added.

A toy shop owner A. G. Sunil of Borella was very critical and called on the Government to be fair by poor people.

"The majority in the rural sector, especially the fisher folk and the farmer community depend on kerosene and therefore the Government should grant a further subsidy on kerosene but increase the petrol price to balance it," he suggested.

A shoe manufacturer S. H. A. Naushad of Warakapola was not happy with the price hike on diesel and kerosene as it would of no use, businesswise as he cannot increase the prices of footwear products.

"Fuel prices may go up, but we can't increase the prices of shoes!,".

He, however admitted that due to this hike, the transport fares and prices of food items will definitely go up.

Thirty year old A. G. Rohana was not happy with the price hike and said it would badly affect the majority poor people, who are engaged in odd jobs for their day-to-day living. "I have three unemployed children and two of them go for private tuition. This hike will have a bearing on private tuition classes and the doctors may increase their charges,".

A mother of two, Kumudu Shamali of Pitakotte was not upset over on the price hike, but anticipates that prices of all items, including doctors' fees and prices of medicine to go up.

She said the Government must grant a subsidy on diesel, because every time when the price of diesel goes up even by few rupees, the prices of all food items and related service charges go up by three to four times than the increase.

"For example when the price of petrol went up by Rs. five last time, trishaw drivers increased their charges four times not proportionate with the increase.

An undergraduate of the Colombo University Parakrama Sandaruwan wants car and van owners and the motorcyclists to travel by the public transport, at least for two days in a week to save fuel consumption.

"This will not only help in consumption, but also to save the huge sum of money they spend on fuel," he said.

A housewife Yasodha Wickremenayaka of Kolonnawa was not happy, considering the pathetic situation of poor people in rural areas who depend mainly on kerosene.

"I request the Government not to increase the price of kerosene and make up the loss by imposing a further tax on other imported items," she said.

Buddhist priest Ven. Kahapola Sumeda of Kurunegala wants all Parliamentarians to set an example to the citizens of the country by avoiding the use of fuel for their private trips.

"The price of diesel could be brought down further if the unlimited fuel allowance, 'dished out' to Parliamentarians and their staff members is cut down," ven. Thera said.

Dr. Ruwan Satharasinghe of Kaduwela did not express any dissatisfaction and pointedout that the Government is compelled to do it due to the high cost of crude oil in the international market.

"Ordinary people cannot understand this problem, therefore I request the authorities to educate the general public on the issue," he said.

He also said the people cannot blame the Government for the increase as the Government has to spend a huge sum of money on our security forces in the North.

But, Satharasinghe requested the Government not to increase the price of kerosene as it is heavily consumed by underprivileged community in the country.

K. Simon Fernando of Korelawalla, Moratuwa said the Government cannot be blamed for the fuel price hike, as they have done it according to the day to day increase in the price structures in the international market.

Therefore I request the Samurdhi Authority to give us diesel at a reasonable price.