JVP advices media to attack MR over high fuel prices
Petrol tax shoots up to Rs 74 per litre with extra Rs. 18.40 tax
No increase in petrol, diesel prices
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Urging the government to immediately pass on the benefit of the rapidly dwindling world crude oil prices to the people, the JVP yesterday advised the media to criticize President Mahinda Rajapaksa who holds the finance portfolio.
Responding to ‘The Island’ queries, JVP MP Vijitha Herath told a press conference at the Hotel Nippon that criticism should be squarely placed on the President and the Cabinet of Ministers.
Unfortunately, the media, particularly the cartoonists, had been targeting Petroleum Minister A. H. M. Fowzie and Trade and Commerce Minister Bandula Gunawardena over the escalating cost of living, the Gampaha District MP said. He pointed out the absurdity in attacking them for something they couldn’t have interfered with. He asserted that media criticism would not make any difference due to ‘fire’ being directed at the wrong party.
Instead of reducing fuel prices, the government had increased taxes on both diesel and petrol to increase its revenue, the MP said. According to him, a 10 and a 15 rupee tax had been imposed on a litre of diesel and petrol, respectively, with effect from last week. He accused the government of attempting to cover up staggering losses due to waste, corruption and irregularities, by making a profit on fuel at the expense of the consumer.
Herath said that although ministers and senior officials had claimed that Sri Lanka had acquired crude at nearly USD 150 a barrel, the actual cost was around USD 122 a barrel. The cost was less as Sri Lanka never bought the top grade, he said. "Although weren’t buying top quality crude, the public were deceived," he said, emphasising that the country was also benefited from a generous Iranian credit facility to obtain supplies.
Officials said that the actual recent increase in tax on a litre of petrol was Rs. 18.40 and Rs. 10.15 on a litre of diesel. The JVP hadn’t taken into a range other levies, they said, adding that taxes on fuel remained a major revenue source for the government. Responding to our queries, a well informed source revealed that the full tax on a litre of petrol inclusive of last week’s addition, was Rs. 74. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said that the diesel tax was Rs. 16.50 a litre.
These taxes apply to both CPC and Lanka Indian Oil Company. The sources said that Rs. 74 tax on a litre of petrol was the highest ever in the market. In May this year, the government imposed a Rs. 20. 50 tax on a litre of petrol, the sources said.
Herath said that although the JVP understood the need for the government to collect taxes, it should not be at the expense of the people who were struggling to make ends meet.
The JVP would inquire into the possibility of seeking the intervention of the judiciary to force the government to bring down the price of petrol and diesel. The UNP last week announced legal action against the government.
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