The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has proposed a dole or a government allowance be provided to the lower income classes affected by the recent electricity tariff hike. Proposing the measure, SJB MP S.M Marikkar said “The underprivileged and lower income classes cannot bear the hike along with the water tariff hike as their income will not increase. We, therefore, propose a dole be given out” he said. According to Marikkar when hiking tariffs the government must make a note of the manner in which the people are living today.

He made these comments at the adjournment debate held in parliament yesterday on the recent electricity tariff hike.

Listing out all the issues faced by the people due to the economic crisis Marikkar said it was in such a scenario that the government is seeking to increase the tariffs.

“The government is blaming the hike on high production costs. One of the main reasons behind the excessive electricity production costs is corruption and overstaffing. Who provided employment in excess? It happened during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. Corruption of officials such as when purchasing power from private firms is also a reason, '' the SJB MP added.