• The new petrol price is Rs. 204 per liter while diesel price has gone up to Rs. 139 per liter
• Exorbitant increase in the global fuel prices is further adversely affecting the foreign exchange reserves of the country 

LIOC last night announced that it had increased its retail selling prices for diesel by Rs 15 per liter and petrol by Rs 20 per liter with effect from midnight yesterday due to significant rise in international fuel prices.   

Accordingly, the new petrol price is Rs. 204 per liter while diesel price has gone up to Rs. 139 per liter.   
The LIOC said in a statement that the oil prices are consistently on a steep rising trend. Brent crude oil prices are now over $100/barrel having an increase of more than 35% during the last one and a half months. The unprecedented surge in international oil prices has already breached the 7 year highs, it added.   

The prevailing situation after Russia’s attack on Ukraine exacerbated concerns about disruptions to global energy supply coupled with supply shortage by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and their allies, are driving oil prices which are expected to rise further with bullish market sentiments, the statement further said.   
Manoj Gupta, Managing Director LIOC, informed that “presently the losses are very high as per current international prices and we are consistently requesting the Government for increase in fuel prices. However, the decision has not been taken yet. Considering the same, we are compelled to increase the prices of Petrol and Diesel. However, even after this price increase, there would still be heavy losses at the prevailing international prices.”   

The company also said that under the pandemic situation, the country is also facing severe foreign exchange crisis due to reduction in forex inflow. Exorbitant increase in the global fuel prices is further adversely affecting the foreign exchange reserves of the country leading to difficulties in imports.   

Lanka IOC stated in its statement that it was the only public limited energy company accountable to its more than 10500 local shareholders. Despite the unprecedented challenging situations, Lanka IOC has always remained committed towards the social upliftment through its several initiatives and strong environment conscience, it added.