JVP says it is not opposed to the war but urged the government not to use the war as a pretext to tax the public

In a protest march held in Colombo, the JVP vowed to continue protests against the government’s tax policies.

Protesters marched from Hyde Park to Lipton roundabout urging the government not to use the war as a pretext to tax the public.

This is a very bad precedent. The judiciary recently made many pro-public rulings. The judiciary ordered to immediately implement the 17 amendment to the constitution Lal Kantha, MP

However, the party is not opposed to government’s war against the Tamil Tigers, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said.

“Did we came to the street against the war? no. We are here to seek justice for the public,” he told the gathering.

The Supreme Court recently ordered the authorities to reduce the price of a litre of petrol to 100 rupees.

The government, however, is yet to implement the ruling saying the Cabinet of Ministers are still studying it.

UNP protest

The JVP urged the government to implement the ruling and offer relief to the public.

JVP parliamentarian KD Lal Kantha said the government was not happy with the recent “pro-public” rulings of the judiciary.

“This is a very bad precedent. The judiciary recently made many pro-public rulings. The judiciary ordered to immediately implement the 17 amendment to the constitution,” he said.

	UNP says the Govt. does not have to pay Rs. 5000 million thanks to a court ruling

The main opposition, United National Party (UNP), echoed similar views on Sunday.

Addressing the press in Colombo, UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe vowed to organise a series of protests against the government's inaction to implement the ruling.

There are two million three-wheeler taxis and motorcycles in Sri Lanka, Mr. Wickramasinghe said, adding that those are the people who are affected most by the government's inaction.

The judiciary earlier suspended heading deals on fuel prices signed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

The needs of a mere 04 per cent of people who use petrol for cars could not supersede the needs of more than 90 % of the people who travelled by bus and train President Mahinda Rajapaksa

"Government has to pay Rs. 5000 million this month only according to the heading deals but the court stopped it. However the public is not offered the benefit of the court ruling," Mr. Wickramasinghe said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a recent meeting held in Presidential Secretariat, said only a small fraction of the country is affected by the rise of petrol prices.

"The needs of a mere 04 per cent of people who use petrol for cars could not supersede the needs of more than 90 % of the people who travelled by bus and train," Mr. Rajapaksa said.

The opposition leader is of the opinion that a significant number of people in Sri Lanka are affected by the fuel price hike.