The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which recently warned that they would rally the people against the Government’s unjust price hikes including those of fuel, has organised a series of protests today (23) and tomorrow (24) demanding that the Government immediately reduce the unjustly increased fuel prices.
The series of protests have been organised under the theme “Bring down the increased oil prices and provide immediate relief to the people. Reduce the prices of essential commodities immediately”.
Accordingly, protests have been organised in Maharagama, Kiribathgoda, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Sevanagala, Dambulla, Wilgamuwa, Walapane, Anuradhapura New Town, and Ginigathhena today. In addition, a series of protests will be held in Panadura, Galle, Akuressa, Badulla, Kurunegala, Chilaw, Rikillagaskada, Pundaluoya, Kaduruwela, and Trincomalee tomorrow.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced that the fuel prices have been increased with effect from Tuesday (21). Accordingly, the price of a litre of 92 Octane petrol, which was Rs. 157 has been increased to Rs. 177 by Rs. 20, while the price of 95 Octane petrol has been increased by Rs. 23, from Rs. 184 to Rs. 207. The price of auto diesel has been increased by Rs. 10 per litre, bringing the new price from Rs. 111 to Rs. 121. The price of a litre of super diesel which was Rs. 144 has been increased by Rs. 15, making its new price Rs. 159. The price of kerosene has also been increased by Rs. 10, from Rs. 77 per litre to Rs. 87. In addition, the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (Lanka IOC) has also increased fuel prices.
Against this backdrop, during a media briefing on Tuesday, JVP National Organiser Bimal Rathnayake said that the people should not accept the unjust increase in fuel prices by the Government. He also said that the JVP would take action to rally the public against the Government’s unjust price hikes seen in the recent past.
“Since the midnight of 20 December, the Government has raised fuel prices to an unprecedented level, thereby doubling the pressure on the public. Although there has been a slight increase in fuel prices in the world market in recent months, the imposition of travel restrictions in European countries due to the Omicron Covid-19 variant, has led to a slight decline in oil prices. There is an assumption that a barrel of crude oil has fallen below the $ 60 limit. Accordingly, the Government has increased the fuel prices at a time when the price of oil in the world market is declining,” he said.