Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra has clarified reports regarding the recently approved fuel allowances for Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Parliamentarians, and Senior Government Officials.
In a statement on social media, the Deputy Minister explained that fuel allowances are normally calculated based on market fuel prices as of the 1st of each month.
However, the latest approval was to continue using the March 1, 2026, price as the benchmark and apply that same rate for April.
He noted that fuel prices were revised twice during March, and as a result, while the allowance amount remains unchanged, the quantity of fuel that can be purchased has decreased.
“In simple terms, this is not an increase, but a situation where the allowance is not adjusted to current prices, leading to a reduction in actual fuel entitlement,” Deputy Minister Hemachandra said.
His comments come following a recent Cabinet decision that fuel allowances provided to ministers, Members of Parliament, and public officials will be calculated based on the fuel prices that prevailed on March 1, 2026, until further notice. According to the government, other allowances linked to fuel costs will also be adjusted to the same benchmark.
The move is part of wider measures to manage state expenditure during the ongoing energy crisis, which has been intensified by the conflict in the Middle East. (Newswire)
