Due to the war between America, Israel and Iran, global energy supply has collapsed. There is a rise in the prices of crude oil and the problem of gas shortage has arisen. Amid the Middle East crisis, the prices of petrol and diesel in Sri Lanka have been increased by 25 percent. People have been appealed to use fuel limitedly and very thoughtfully.
Government lost Rs 20 billion
Cabinet spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that the government is incurring a loss of Rs 20 billion every month due to the sale of fuel at the current rates. He told that the government is incurring a loss of Rs 100 on one liter diesel and Rs 20 on one liter petrol.
How much did the prices of petrol and diesel increase?
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has increased the price of Lanka Auto Diesel by Rs 79 to Rs 382 per liter, the price of Super Diesel by Rs 90 to Rs 443 per liter, while the price of Octane 95 petrol has increased by Rs 90 to Rs 455 per liter and the price of Octane 92 petrol has increased by Rs 81 to Rs 398 per liter.
Prices increased for the second time in a week
Let us tell you that the prices of petrol and diesel have been increased for the second time in the last one week in Sri Lanka. After two price increases, fuel prices are going to reach the level of economic crisis of 2022.
Government appealed for fuel saving
The Sri Lankan government appealed to the public to use fuel and electricity sparingly and judiciously to deal with possible shortages amid volatility in global oil markets. The appeal comes at a time when the island nation has increased retail fuel prices from midnight, the second increase in a week. As an energy saving measure, the government has started selling fuel in fixed quantities on the basis of QR code issued for each vehicle.
Sri Lankan government spokesperson and minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that despite the recent price increase, the government is incurring an expenditure of Rs 20 billion every month by giving a subsidy of Rs 100 per liter on diesel and Rs 20 per liter on petrol. The minister said that if fuel prices were not revised, there would have been an additional burden of about $1.5 billion on the government.