Govt. has a unique formula of corruption, commission and deception for gas and fuel price hikes – Gayantha

UNP M.P. Gayantha Karunatileke recalled what President promised at the last budget that he would give relief to the people if the world market prices of fuel drop.
“Now, the price of crude oil has Drastically dropped by U.S. $ 112.00 per barrel; then, why is he not honoring his promise? , he asked.
Minister of consumer affair, better known as consumer despair, also promised in 2007 after increasing the fuel prices for a record 13th time in Sri Lanka within just two years that there won’t be another three digit fuel price hike. But, what has he unconscionably and brazenly done? – raised the price of gas by another Rs. 126.00 per domestic cylinder of Shell gas and of Laugfs gas by Rs. 189.00, he remarked.

The State Media, which is the tool of this Government also distorts the facts to suit the government’s falsehoods. It makes a massive hue and cry when the world market prices are up defending the government’s price hikes. But, now, when the world market prices are down, and the government continues to raise prices burdening the people, the Media is silent, he regretted.

The price revision formula is devised not for the benefit of the masses, but to cover up its corruption, commission collections and deceits. While there is a refinery at Sapugaskande in Sri Lanka which could refine 50% of the imported crude oil cheap, the government imported at the prevailing high prices, 130,000 metric tons refined Diesel and stocked them even when it was aware that the world market prices were showing signs of tumbling down.
Obviously, the motive was commission outweighing National interest as always, he lamented. People are not aware that on every litre of petrol sold, the government is pick pocketing Rs. 80.00 from the consumer. He explained that the cost of a litre of fuel when it reaches the Harbour is only Rs.77.40, which is sold by the CPC at Rs. 157.00. Thus, the CPC is making a substantial profit of Rs. 80.00.
Even this profit is not enough to cover up the government’s corruption, wastages and commission collections. This is why it has to deceive the people at every turn blaming on the World market, he exhorted. Even the Provincial Council elections are a fraud, as there is mounting evidence testifying to this, following the investigations launched by the UNP, he said.