Chain reaction of fuel price hike on all services

• LIOC also increased their prices 
• 19.5 % bus fare revision, minimum fare increased to Rs.32
• Maximum bus fare Rs. 2,417  
• Three-wheeler fare increased, first km to Rs.100, second km to Rs.80  
• Canteen, Bakery associations decide to survive without increasing prices
• CPC, LIOC limited pumping fuel

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

The fuel price was increased last morning after the fuel pricing formula was approved by the cabinet ministers, and as a result, the charges relating to transportation and other services have been revised.  

According to Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, the price revision included all costs incurred in importing, unloading, distribution to the filling stations and taxes. He said the profits were not calculated and included.  

Accordingly, the price of a litre of petrol (92 octane) has been increased by Rs. 82 (from Rs 338 to 420), petrol (95 octane) increased by Rs. 77 (from Rs. 373 to 450), auto diesel increased by Rs. 111 (from Rs. 289 to 400), and super diesel increased by Rs. 116 (from Rs. 329 to 445).  

Later, the Lanka IOC (LIOC) also increased their fuel prices on par with the price increase by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) with effect from 3.00 am yesterday.  

Later, the National Transport Commission (NTC) announced a fare increase of 19.5 per cent with effect from last night.  

They said the minimum fare, which was at Rs. 27, was increased to Rs. 32. The bus fare list with 350 cases was released yesterday. According to the list, the maximum bus fare has been increased from Rs. 2,022 to Rs. 2,417, the Minister said.  

Meanwhile, the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) yesterday lamented that they had decided to increase the three-wheeler fare of the first km to Rs.100 and the second km to Rs.80 with the view to sustaining the three-wheeler industry.   

They claimed that they did not increase the three-wheeler fare during the past two instances where fuel prices had gone up.   

Moreover, the All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) and All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) said that their industries have come to a standstill with the increase in the price of fuel.  
AICOA and ACBOA chairpersons said that they have decided to face the current situation only to survive without announcing any price increments.  

The public sector workforce will be called to work on the direction of the head of the institute from today. The Minister added that working from home will be encouraged to minimise the use of fuel and to manage the energy crisis.  

The CPC and Lanka IOC filling stations were permitted to pump only fuel worth Rs. 2,500 for motorcycles at a single time. Rs.3,000 worth of fuel for three-wheelers and Rs. 10,000 worth of fuel for other vehicles such as cars, vans and SUVs. It has been decided to provide unlimited fuel for commercial transport vehicles.  
During the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday, Energy Minister Wijesekera said that a request had been made from the Ministers’ Cabinet to increase the price of kerosene.