The Petroleum Trade Unions have raised concerns over the government’s recent fuel price hike, with the Convenor of the Union, Ananda Palitha, demanding an immediate explanation from the Minister of Energy and the leadership of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).
Addressing the media, Palitha challenged the logic behind the increase, pointing to earlier statements by the Energy Minister and CPC officials that Sri Lanka had enough fuel reserves to last two months and had placed additional orders through December.
“If that is true, and orders are secured till December, the price hike appears completely unjustified. If fuel was purchased when global oil prices were stable or falling, there was no reason to increase local prices. In fact, the government had room to reduce prices by at least Rs. 5 per litre,” he said.
He also recalled assurances from the Energy Ministry that the Middle East conflict would not affect Sri Lanka’s fuel supply, adding that the recent drop in crude oil prices only strengthened the case against the fuel hike.
Palitha also alleged that the move was designed not to reflect market realities but to cover up “corruption and financial mismanagement” within the CPC.
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