Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva has strongly questioned the government over its decision not to reduce fuel prices in Sri Lanka, despite the recent decline in crude oil prices in the global market.
Addressing the media, he stated that the government had quickly increased fuel prices even before global prices rose due to tensions in the Middle East, but is now reluctant to reduce local fuel prices in line with the falling international rates. He also pointed out that fuel prices were increased arbitrarily without following the official pricing formula. The MP said it is contradictory for authorities to claim that price revisions can only be made according to the formula, and noted that he has already requested Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to look into the matter.
Harsha de Silva further questioned why the government is concealing the fuel pricing formula introduced by former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera and later made public by former Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, and challenged authorities to release it immediately to ensure transparency.
He rejected the government’s explanation that prices cannot be reduced due to excess stock levels, stating that the Prime Minister is fully aware that the concessions she reportedly received through the President will expire by the end of this month.
The MP also alleged that unusually large stocks of petrol and diesel were imported into the country last April at an excessive cost, and emphasized that a formal investigation should be launched into the matter without delay.
