Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on the Government to reduce fuel prices, arguing that the recent decline in global crude oil prices should be reflected in domestic fuel costs.
Speaking during a meeting with a group of people affected by an alleged financial fraud involving Nation Lanka, Premadasa said the Government had previously increased fuel prices citing rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.
However, he noted that crude oil prices have now fallen back to levels seen before the conflict, and questioned why consumers have not benefited from a corresponding reduction in fuel prices.
“If fuel prices in Sri Lanka are increased when global oil prices rise, then they should also be reduced when global oil prices fall,” he said.
Premadasa further claimed that fuel in Sri Lanka is subject to high levels of taxation and accused the Government of failing to deliver on earlier promises to provide fuel at lower prices.
He also alleged that the Government has lost public trust by not passing on the benefits of lower global oil prices to consumers.
The Opposition Leader said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya supports an immediate reduction in fuel prices and would ensure that price decreases are passed on to the public when global oil prices decline. (Newswire)
