Mar 6 (InfoLanka) Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya sent out mixed signals as to whether the government would impose a surcharge on consumers in a bid to control the oil prices if a war breaks out in Iraq.
"The government does not want to burden the people with more price increases. For the moment we have been able to bear the burden of the world price increases. But we cannot do it always," the Minister told journalists in Jaffna.
The Minister however was optimistic on the present Iraq crisis, saying that, "We have reason to believe that there would not be a war in Iraq, and so we would not have to worry about a price increase or surcharge."
Mr. Jayasuriya said the developments over the past few days had shown signs that the tension in Iraq was easing and it was a good sign.
