Enough is enough – JVP wants everything down

By Jayashika Padmasiri
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) which has been at the receiving end, after they virtually helped the government win the 2008 Budget, is set to put its foot down today, amidst skyrocketing cost of living, demanding that the President Mahinda Rajapaksa led government take immediate steps to find a solution to the burning issue.

While emphasising that the war was no excuse for the gruelling price hikes in almost all consumer goods, including essential items, the JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva announced that the masses will congregate from all parts of the country, beginning today, till January 29, demanding immediate relief.

“The government cannot say that the cost of living is high because of the world market. Perhaps they can blame the fuel hike on the world market, but they cannot use that same argument for the prices increases of rice and vegetables. They cannot blame it on the war either. There is no connection with the increase of rice prices and the war. The government is totally responsible. The monopoly of the mill owners should be changed and a proper mechanism brought in for distribution,” Silva said.

Silva also blamed the government for the increasing rice prices and accused the government of supporting mill owners, who cheat on ordinary consumers.

“Paddy sold at Rs 16. 50 to mill owners is sold as rice at Rs 70-80. Why can’t they sell it at Rs. 40, which is the average normal price? The mill owners are responsible and the government is helping them,” he charged.

The JVP General Secretary also said that if the government continues to blame the cost of living on the war, there could be serious repercussions on the military operations, which will be a barrier to eliminate terrorism from the country.