UNP launches ‘Enough is Enough’

A UNP-led protest rally called ‘Enough is Enough’ will be held at the Hyde Park this afternoon to pressure the government to bring down cost of living.

A spokesman for the UNP told The Island that a number of Opposition parties including the SLMC, WPF, the SLFP(M) and civil society organisations would take part in the demonstration.

"We will also agitate for the government to comply with the Supreme Court directive to reduce the price of petrol from Rs. 122 to Rs. 100.

Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the government had asked the people to tighten their belts due to the war. "It is time that they eased the burden of the masses by bringing down the cost of living."

A government, which says that the LTTE has been defeated, continues to use the war to cover up its incompetence and inability to provide the people with goods and services at reasonable prices," he said.

Security forces and police personnel who died in action and their families should be paid adequate compensation, Wickremesinghe said.

"We urge that a minimum of Rs. 5 million be paid to the family of each dead soldier and Rs. 2. 5 million to each of the injured," he said.

by Zacki Jabbar