The Government is engaged in various tactics to mislead the people of the country, charged National People’s Power (NPP) MP Vijitha Herath today (26), claiming that despite reports of a dollar shortage, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal releases funds to the Government whenever instructed to do so by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Speaking at a media briefing held today (26), Herath claimed: “The Ministers of these particular Ministries keep passing the ball between each other. [Minister of Energy] Udaya Gammanpila says that fuel will be given if dollars are provided, and [Minister of Power] Gamini Lukuge tells the people that there will not be any power cuts if the power plants are running with fuel. Who are they trying to cheat? They are only trying to lead the people astray. “We have reason to believe that there is a conspiracy within the Government. The Government claims to not have dollars, whereas the minute the President instructs [Central Bank GOvernor] Cabraal to release funds, the dollars overflow. How is this even possible? In 2020, the Government spent $ 374 million on fruit and vegetable imports within a span of 11 months. Then again in 2021, the Government spent $ 415 million on fruit and vegetable imports within the same time period," alleged Herath. He went on to say that for the import of fruits and vegetables the Government has close to on $ 500 million to spend, whereas when fuel is needed, the Government is either reluctant to release funds, or claims to not have the funds. "The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) had announced back in 2016 that on average the consumption of electricity in Sri Lanka would increase by 5% monthly. With this information, the Government should have realised that someday this increased demand for electricity would arise. Now, it is evident that none of the governments in the past paid attention to this report and took it seriously. If the governments of the past had paid attention, we would not face such a power crisis," Herath charged. Furthermore, he claimed that the Minister of Power and the Minister of Energy are “playing ball” amidst the current crisis. "Gammanpila says that power cuts are inevitable, then the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says the same. The following morning, when people have conditioned their minds and made preparations, Lokuge comes and says there won’t be power cuts. They are playing ball here with the people of the nation. After that, Gammanpila says there are no funds for the release of fuel, and then once again Lokuge says something else. The people of the country already know that there is a crisis in the country; they don't need to be repeatedly told. The Ministers were appointed to find solutions, not announce the problems to the people," he added. Additionally, Herath said that people are living in a time of uncertainty and have lost trust in the Government and its officials. "People are living in uncertainty. They sleep not knowing what the next day will hold. As it is, we have an economic crisis, and now people have to go to bed wondering if they will have electricity the following day or not. This is a burden to the nation as a whole now," said the MP. Herath also claimed that the thermal power stations in Sri Lanka would soon come to a halt, as there is an inadequate amount of water in the reservoirs. "Yesterday (25), the National Water Supply Board had requested people to use tap water sparingly. There is a power crisis going on, and now people have to worry about a water crisis. Sri Lanka has thermal energy too, but if there is not enough water, the plants cannot generate power. We are having a dry spell now, what will happen when we run short of water as well? The fuel power plants have diesel and furnace oil only for the next 24 hours, and after that, what is the Government's action plan?” Herath questioned. He further charged that despite promises made by Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge and Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila, the fuel reserves have hit the “ultimate low”, and the shipment of crude oil that is currently docked at the Colombo Port cannot be cleared as fast as the above Ministers have stated possible. "There is a shipment of crude oil at the Port, another shipment is due to arrive on 30 January. To raise a Letter of Credit (LC), release the payment, unload the fuel stocks, and then send them to the refinery, it will take at least another week. This means that until the end of the first week of February, the stock of fuel is not available for use. What is the action plan for that week? Does the Government expect the people to stay in darkness, or do they have a solution for that?” Herath concluded by saying that because of the uncertainties in the minds of the people, they have lost trust in the Government and are now living in fear.