Fmr. minister Patali blames govt. over fuel price hikes

Former Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has alleged that rising fuel prices in Sri Lanka are due to weak governance and poor management rather than a global crisis.

Speaking at a media briefing, Ranawaka raised concerns over what he described as irregularities in recent diesel procurement and the current fuel pricing mechanism.

He claimed that during diesel purchases from a foreign company, a premium charge of Rs. 118 per litre had been paid, of which Rs. 110 was added as extra tax.

The former minister also challenged authorities to explain how diesel prices of Rs. 720 and Rs. 750 per litre had been calculated, arguing that current fuel prices are unjustified when compared with global market trends.

He further noted that the Singapore Platts benchmark is an international pricing index and not Singapore’s domestic oil price.

Presenting data on global fuel price movements since the war period, Ranawaka claimed international fuel indices are currently declining. He pointed out that even when global fuel prices were previously higher, diesel in Sri Lanka had remained around Rs. 281 per litre, whereas under the current administration it has risen to Rs. 403 per litre despite falling international indicators.

According to Ranawaka, the increase in local fuel prices is not driven by a global market crisis, but by poor management and a lack of transparency in the government’s pricing process.