SJB takes their case against govt. signing secret power deal with US firm to Asgiriya and Malwatte temples

BY CYRIL WIMALASURENDRE

KANDY –

The Most Venerable Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera told the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarians Lakshman Kiriella and Ajith P. Perera that facts about the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Station transaction would be studied and a decision reached by its Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha.

The Most Venerable Mahanayaka Thera gave this assurance after listening the two parliamentarians who said that the agreement entered into by the government with the American company was highly detrimental to the interests of the country.

The Mahanayaka Thera said that any government had been elected to protect the country. Therefore it was important that the government should act to safeguard the country. “However the present issue regarding the power station will be studied by the Karaka Sangha Sabha and it will make the final decision on the issue”, the prelate said.

The prelate noted that it was the responsibility of both the government and the Opposition to jointly reach decisions on matters of national importance. That would save the country and benefit the people at large.

The two SJB parliamentarians told the Mahanayaka Thera that according to the agreement the US Company would control most of the power generation in the country.

A memorandum stating their objections to the power plant agreement was presented to the prelate.

The two Parliamentarians later called on the Anunayake Thera of Malwatte Chapter Venerable Dr. Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri and again stated their opposition to the agreement entered into by the government and the American company.