COLOMBO (News 1st); The No-Confidence Motion against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila was defeated in Parliament on Tuesday (20).

Against: 152

In Favor: 61

The two-day debate on the no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila commenced on Monday (19) morning.

43 SJB MPs signed the motion in which they alleged that Gammanpila has failed in his responsibilities as Energy Minister and had not obtained Cabinet approval for the recent fuel price hike.

Ten allegations were levelled at Gammanpila, including failing in his duty of obtaining Cabinet approval for the fuel price hike and failure to pass on the benefit of global oil price reductions to the public last year.

The motion stated that while world oil prices have been falling since March last year, fuel prices in the country have remained the same with consumers not given the benefit of falling prices.

It stated that the Government had promised not to increase prices for two years after taking office but had reneged on this, while Parliament and the public have been kept in the dark about the status of the Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund which was set up last March.

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