21 March 2023 04:24 pm Views - 2275
Fuel prices would be reduced by a considerable margin at the routine fuel price revision according to the fuel price formula next month, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.
He told Parliament that the government would be able to procure fuel shipments at a lower and competitive bidding after the IMF bailout was received.
The Minister said there were practical issues in opening LCs and obtaining credit facilities earlier as Sri Lanka could not give a guarantee for the fuel suppliers.
"We could not open LCs and obtain credit facilities when procuring fuel. After the IMF bailout, we will be able to procure fuel at lower and competitive biddings. We will be able to obtain long-term credit facility as well. Fuel prices at global market seems to have declined these days and rupee has also gained strength against the US Dollar. Having considered all these factors, fuel prices will be reduced by a considerable margin which could be felt by the people,” he said.
The Minister said steps would be taken to reduce electricity tariffs as well by December this year.
He said the restructuring plan of the CEB and CPC would be submitted in Parliament within a month. (Ajith Siriwardana)