Government Still Profiting Heavily on Fuel, Says Ex-Minister

Patali Champika Ranawaka, who previously held ministerial office, contended that fuel prices across Sri Lanka remain substantially higher than comparable international market values. Speaking on the pricing structure, he argued that domestic consumers are bearing an unfair burden while the government extracts significant margins from every litre sold.

Ranawaka highlighted particular concern over furnace oil transactions with the Ceylon Electricity Board, noting that the utility has been purchasing the fuel at Rs. 210 per litre. He demanded that authorities provide detailed public accounting of the profits generated through these sales, questioning whether such pricing reflects genuine costs or represents an additional revenue stream for the government.

The comments reflect ongoing scrutiny of Sri Lanka's fuel pricing mechanisms, a sensitive issue given the country's recent economic challenges and the impact of energy costs on household budgets and industrial competitiveness. The former minister's statements suggest continued political pressure on the administration to justify its pricing decisions and provide greater transparency in fuel procurement and distribution practices.