Wants PM to summon parliamentFebruary 13, 2012, 11:38 pm
By Shamindra Ferdinando
In the wake of violent protests against the unprecedented increase in the price of petrol, diesel and kerosene, Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe last evening wrote to Premier D. M. Jayaratne urging the SLFP-led UPFA to immediately summon parliament to discuss the crisis. The letter was delivered to Prime Minister’s office by a UNP delegation comprising UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, Dr Harsha de Silva, Dr Jayalath Jayawardena, and National list MP Eran Wickremaratne.
Wickremesinghe alleged in his letter that the government had overpriced petrol, diesel and kerosene though a litre could be sold at Rs. 110, Rs, 99 and Rs. 89, respectively. The UNP leader accused the government of being unfair, while emphasizing the Opposition right to call for advancing the next sittings of parliament.
The parliament is scheduled to meet on Feb 21.
The warning came in the wake of the government increasing petrol prices by Rs. 12, diesel by Rs. 31 and kerosene by Rs. 35 a litre with effect from Saturday. It was the biggest hike in diesel and kerosene prices.
Until Saturday, the price of a litre of petrol was Rs. 137, diesel Rs. 84 and kerosene Rs 76.
The increase in diesel and kerosene prices amounted to a staggering 36.9 per cent and 49.3 per cent respectively.
Sources close to Wickremesinghe told The Island last night the UNP would now go flat out against the government and the call for summoning Parliament was the first step in its campaign. Asked whether the UNP would discuss the situation with Opposition political parties, sources said that the ruling coalition was sharply divided over the latest hike in the price of fuel. Puttalam District MP Milroy Fernando yesterday publicly criticized the government for letting down the people, particularly the fishing community.
Addressing a large group of protesting fisher families opposite the Wennappuwa bus stand, Minister Fernando made his position known, while in Negombo fisher families reacted angrily to government politicians trying to placate them.
Government sources alleged that the Opposition was trying to take advantage of a crisis caused by US and EU sanctions on Iran.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=45236
SL’s petrol prices low compared to those of many countries
Chaminda Perera
The government yesterday said that petrol prices in the country remain low when compared to prices in many countries in the region and in Scandinavia.
Political, social and environment calamities in oil producing countries have led to extreme fluctuations in oil prices in many countries.
According to a survey conducted by the Media and Information Ministry Research Unit, a litre of petrol is available in Sri Lanka at Rs 149 while its price in Japan is equivalent to Rs 227.97.
The price of petrol in Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai are relatively high compared to Sri Lanka’s.
A litre of petrol in Brazil where oil is produced, is above Rs 181 in rupee terms.
The demand for oil in the country has tremendously increased with the conclusion of the 30 year conflict. Oil consumption of the country increased rapidly after all sectors of the country witnessed massive development in the aftermath of the war.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/02/14/news28.asp
Political, social and environment calamities in oil producing countries have led to extreme fluctuations in oil prices in many countries.
According to a survey conducted by the Media and Information Ministry Research Unit, a litre of petrol is available in Sri Lanka at Rs 149 while its price in Japan is equivalent to Rs 227.97.
The price of petrol in Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai are relatively high compared to Sri Lanka’s.
A litre of petrol in Brazil where oil is produced, is above Rs 181 in rupee terms.
The demand for oil in the country has tremendously increased with the conclusion of the 30 year conflict. Oil consumption of the country increased rapidly after all sectors of the country witnessed massive development in the aftermath of the war.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/02/14/news28.asp
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