Rise of cost of living not Govt. fault: Gamini Lokuge

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Power, Gamini Lokuge says that the rise in prices of goods in the country is not the fault of the Government.

Speaking during a media briefing held at the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna party headquarters today (14), Lokuge pointed out that although the public is facing numerous problems, none of that is the fault of the Government.

People are facing numerous issues to the depreciation of the dollar, the price of milk powder, wheat flour, and the gas price increase, the Minister says. However, none of that is the fault of the Government, he adds, stating that with the current state of the economy, the Government is unable to provide concessions when world market prices increase.

" Today, even the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation runs with the Government funds and the Government having to bear the loss. The Litro gas company sells gas, but the Government incurred the loss" he stated.

The Government will always look for a way to provide relief to the people, however, we should all face the pandemic as a whole, he added.