Charging that the fuel subsidy promised by the government to the sectors which are affected by the fuel price hike is a hoax the UNP said and requested the government to reverse the increased process to some extent for the sake of the people.

UNP official Spokesman and Member of Parliament Gayantha Katrunatilleke told journalists today that the promised subsidy would be a non event just like the other promises that have been made by the government.

Mr. Karunatilleke said the government purchases crude oil at a rate which is much less than what the government is claiming to have spent. Therefore he said a barrel is purchased at US$98 though it was highlighted in state media that it had bought a barrel at US$115. He said the situation is the same when it comes to refined petrol as Sri Lanka purchases light petrol from Saudi Arabia at a cheaper rate though the current price in other markets is US$127 a barrel. He said the situation is the same with diesel as well. In this aspect he explained that it would be possible to sell fuel at a lower price locally.

Coming with another allegation he said the capacity of the storage facility had become limited as there were 1,000mts of inferior quality oil bought into the country last year which still remains in some tanks. 

The UNP MP said talking of conspiracies and passing the buck on the UNP would not work this time for the government, given the country’s situation today. He said the government cannot blame the UNP for the fuel crisis, the bus strike and the unrest which has arisen among the fishermen as it is its regime that had the done hard work such as constructing the Sapugaskanda Refinery in the 1960s.

He said the party would organise street protests shortly against the hardship faced by the people. (Yohan Perera)