No problem if oil is used carefully - Deputy Minister Chathuranga

Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Mr. Chathuranga Abeyasinghe, requests the public to consume fuel and electricity sparingly to face the energy crisis created by the current global situation. He emphasized this while participating in a special program held yesterday (16) at the Diyawanna Sports Complex in Rajagiriya.This was the Colombo District inaugural event of the 'Daya Nanwana Sapiri Gamak' (A Prosperous Village Uplifting the Nation) community productivity model village project, organized in conjunction with the Clean Sri Lanka project. It was jointly organized by the National Productivity Secretariat, the Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Divisional Secretariat, and the Municipal Council.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that due to the ongoing conflicts in the world, the global oil supply is facing a severe challenge, and it has directly impacted our country as well. He stated that the government alone cannot act in the face of this crisis, and therefore, responsible behavior from citizens is essential. He specifically suggested that people should resolve to reduce their fuel consumption by at least twenty percent. He further explained that this crisis can be successfully faced through simple steps such as limiting unnecessary travel, opting for public transport, and using electricity safely.

Stating that a village is not complete with physical development alone, the Minister also declared that sports, entertainment, and social activities should be brought back into villages to guide the younger generation towards a positive path. He pointed out the necessity for the education system to transform into one based on practical activities, as the beautiful childhood of children and their bond with the village have become distant due to current economic difficulties and family pressures. He also stated that if all family units at the rural level collectively contribute to energy conservation, it would be a great service to the entire country.

Mr. Chathuranga Abeyasinghe stated that the primary objective of such development programs implemented by the central government is to ensure that economic gains flow down to the family units at the grassroots level. He emphasized that the government has a continuous program in place to study the information of each family properly and work towards their development, and for people to adapt to it, a change in their attitudes is essential. The Deputy Minister further stated that since systems like QR are merely technical tools, the public should go beyond rules and regulations and, with self-discipline, use energy sparingly, even if temporarily.