Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called on the government to reduce prices of fuel, gas, medicines, food and fertiliser to ease the growing burden on the public, speaking on Sinhala and Tamil New Year day.
Premadasa made the remarks while visiting the Yodakandiya Bodhi Maha Viharaya, Naga Maha Viharaya and Sithulpawwa Magul Maha Viharaya in Hambantota on Saturday, where he also assessed issues faced by resident monks.
“The rising cost of living has left many people in the country in a highly vulnerable situation,” Premadasa told media at the temple visit.
The statement broadens the SJB leader’s earlier demands, which focused primarily on fuel price reductions following the brief US-Iran ceasefire. This time he targeted the full spectrum of essential goods — fuel, LP gas, medicines, food and fertiliser — reflecting the compounding effect of gas price hikes, the Middle East energy crisis and April’s rising food costs.
The call comes days after the government’s no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody was defeated 153-49 in Parliament, and amid the President’s Rs. 100 billion relief package announced to cushion the cost-of-living impact.
