UNP protest petroleum hike

[TamilNet, Monday, 20 March 2000, 18:22 GMT]
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) organised a protest march and a rally in Colombo today, protesting against price hikes in petroleum products and increased coast of living.

(From Left) Former minister Renuka Herath, General Secretary Gamini Athukorala and the UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe.Photo:TamilNet

The Leader of Opposition Mr Ranil Wickremasinghe led the protest march from Maradana junction to Deans Place. Over a thousand people participated in the march.

Mr Wickremasinghe addressed the gathering at a rally.

He said that two years ago when the price of petroleum products was reduced in world market, the government failed to pass on its benefit to the people. Now the government had increased the prices of petroleum products stating that there was an increase in the world market.

Mr Wickremasinghe demanded that the government should provide relief to consumers with the profit the government collected two years ago. He warned that his party would hold demonstrations through out the island against the high cost of living.