The UNP said yesterday that it would act ‘appropriately’ if the government fails to reduce the price of a petrol litre to Rs. 100, as directed by the Supreme Court.

Colombo District UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake told The Island’ that the Supreme Court, acting on fundamental rights petitions filed by him and three others, had ordered the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to reduce the price of petrol from Rs. 122 to Rs. 100, in keeping with world market conditions.

"But the government without implementing the Court directive, which is a great relief to the people, is complaining that it cannot act without receiving official intimation.The Secretary to the Cabinet and several ministers were in Court and they heard the order being read out. So what is all this fuss about official copies? It is obvious the government does not want to provide relief to the masses."

Karunanayake said that the UNP was watching the government’s every move very carefully and if it fails to implement the Supreme Court directive, would take appropriate action to ensure that the rule of law prevails and the peoples rights are protected.

Kandy District UNP MP Lakshman Kirielle, said that the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime calls itself a "Peoples Government", but when the judiciary gives a ruling in favour of the masses, it delays the provision of that benefit to the very people it claims to represent.

The government should stop giving lame excuses and implement the Supreme Court order without any further delay, he added.