By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) President  Lalith Dharmasekera criticized the recent fuel price revision, saying  the social group mostly affected by the economic crisis had been  neglected in the process.   
He said the recent reduction of Petrol 95 Octane by Rs.7  and super diesel by Rs. 72 shows that the vulnerable group had not been  considered.   

“However, based on the fuel revision formula, the  decision-makers chose not to lower the prices of auto diesel and petrol  92 Octane. They reasoned that since most passenger services heavily rely  on auto diesel and many three-wheeler operators use petrol 92 Octane,  they believed that people who depend on these fuels will somehow manage  to endure any hardships that may arise,” he said.   

“We haven’t been fortunate enough to receive fuel  concessions from the government. It seems they’ve focused more on  addressing the challenges faced by those in higher socio-economic  classes,” he said.   

Finally, he appreciated Power and Energy Minister Kanchana  Wijesekera for not taking the decision to reduce Auto Diesel and Petrol 92  Octane.   

“This government shows the least concern for ordinary  citizens and neglects their needs. Instead, it seems to exploit people’s  dissent for its own gain, maximizing its benefits without regard for  the welfare of the populace,” Dharmasekera said.   

“However, it has come to our attention that this government  is offering concessions primarily to the higher class citizens, with  plans to extend these benefits to the lower class individuals at a later  stage,” he said.         

We haven’t been fortunate enough to receive fuel concessions from the government. It seems they’ve focused more on  addressing the challenges faced by those in higher socio-economic classes