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Cheap, low octane petrol for three-wheelers next month: Minister

17 October 2018 11:13 pm - 23     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A new petrol type would be introduced only for three-wheelers for low cost by next month, Petroleum Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said.

Speaking to the media at the Ministry today he said, the new petrol had a lower-octane value.

“After I assumed duties as the Petroleum Minister, several major plans had been taken place to make new petrol type, which can be introduced to the market at a low cost,” he said.

“The new petrol type will be Rs. 8 lower than the current standard petrol price. This is done to rectify the issues with the three-wheeler industry,” he said.

“Several experiments are also underway to make the new petrol compatible with motorcycles, but we hope this will be used for certain old motor bicycles,” he noted.

“The Ministry had identified about 100 filling stations countrywide to issue this new petrol type. New pumping machines and tanks have to be installed at the identified filling stations. By next month the new petrol will be in the market,” Minster Ranatunga said.

“The Ministry is also hoping to discuss with the Finance Ministry to reduce taxes for this petrol. If we managed to reduce the tax for the new petrol type, we would be able to issue petrol at a very low price than the scheduled eight rupees.

“This petrol type cannot be used in cars. If someone use this in cars, no responsibility would be taken by the Ministry for the damages caused to the engines,” he added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)


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  Comments - 23

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  • Jude Wednesday, 17 October 2018 11:25 PM

    AR sometimes you come on top a genious !!!??

    Jaliya Thursday, 18 October 2018 12:15 AM

    Again, the minister has chosen the profits over the environment. With standard 92 Octane, the three wheeler is a polluter. Introduce of low octane fuel to a vehicle is slightly powerful than your grandfathers lawnmower is of no use ... it will require more bad fuel to travel the same distance. I have a better idea, let's remove all three wheeler's along with their drivers ... from public roads.

    Jude Thursday, 18 October 2018 11:22 AM

    FYI 80% of cars in North America run on 87 Octane!! More than 50% of cars in Europe run on Diesel!! Hey, go figure why!!??

    Jaliya Thursday, 18 October 2018 02:07 PM

    Jude FYI a car is not a three wheeler and a car is either manufactured in EU US or Japan would have much tighter emission standards. The highest standards in California are so defined with 87 Octane unleaded that cars from other states usually wont meet the CA emission requirements. Now to answer you, US or EU no longer allow the manufactures to produce anything below the engine capacity of 1L or 1000CC Given the weight to HP ratio with modern engine control technology and engine design it make absolutely no difference to the engine performance whether you use 87 or 92 fuel. But for a three wheeler it will be not the same.

    kudda Thursday, 18 October 2018 02:28 PM

    Diesel cars are emitting Carbon dioxide but petrol vehicles are emitting Carbon monoxide which is causing more harm.

    Ram Gopal Bajaj Thursday, 18 October 2018 10:16 PM

    This is my 5 cts..3 wheeler's are polluting because they have 2 stroke engines. Modern cars have the capability to run on gasoline grade RON 88 or higher because of computer controlled engine management systems and advanced engine features. Same applies to diesel cars in Europe as well. Our 3 wheeler s are polluting because of the low cost engine and must be removed from all roads of our country.

    Premkumar Thursday, 18 October 2018 12:33 AM

    What an idiotic move, already three wheelers emitting massive quantities of poisonous smoke, now low octane petrol will be increasing it. First at all try to eliminate the three wheelers from the roads at any cost to save the environment.

    Common Sense Thursday, 18 October 2018 01:13 PM

    Not logical!!Where are you going to fill in the jobs? Sri Lanka can't become Singapore immediately.. There are 10,000s of people who will go out of a job. The removing of three wheelers is not an instant policy. It'll take a decade or slightly more..This is a good step!

    Jaliya Thursday, 18 October 2018 02:17 PM

    Common Sense, There are enough work for all three wheeler drivers within Sri Lanka. We import labor from China India and Bangladesh for many construction projects. The problem is these people who drives three wheeler's recklessly, are the most lazy individuals. They don't have a specific place or time to report to work, no uniforms or any guidelines, no ethical work habits, no courtesy on the road rules, always looking for a ways to make a quick buck that's the reason we have so many three wheelers on the road more three wheelers means more lazy people with bad habits. (and) that needs to change

    Saman Thursday, 18 October 2018 12:38 AM

    8 rupees lower? Wow .. ha ha

    Motorist Thursday, 18 October 2018 01:36 AM

    What about the Air Pollution caused by the low quality Petrol.Very soon Govt might impose a tax on Air pumped to Tyres also.

    selvin Thursday, 18 October 2018 05:05 AM

    It seems that he will take responsible for threewheeler engines?

    Lokka Thursday, 18 October 2018 05:53 AM

    With the supply of this new petrol, trishaw hire should be reverted to the old fare they charged before the price hike.

    Arnold Thursday, 18 October 2018 06:16 AM

    But the petrol shed people dont care. They freely mix low quality fuel with the higher quality for more profits. I had to pay 280000 to fix my vehicle because there was kerosene mixed with super diesel in a petrol shed in Nugegoda. The petroleum corporation found it and closed for about a month, but now they are back in business. The best solution is to have just one kind of petrol and diesel each.

    MK Thursday, 18 October 2018 09:11 AM

    The low octane number petrol will give low mileage per liter and high production of 2.5M pollution.

    lkboy Thursday, 18 October 2018 09:26 AM

    That means more air Pollution!

    Zee Thursday, 18 October 2018 10:40 AM

    Good for the oil producing countries and oil selling countries like USA, UK since these low standard petroleum are not used in those countries. We are becoming a dumping ground of everything in the name of open economy.

    Labby Thursday, 18 October 2018 11:11 AM

    What a ridiculous decision. Is it only they who need petrol for their livelihood? Those Three Wheel drivers; do they even pay taxes on their earnings?

    james biling Thursday, 18 October 2018 05:00 PM

    look at all the smart people commenting to remove all three wheelers from the roads instead. Maybe their fathers are going to help middle / low income earners commute when they miss the bus or train. These Colombo elites act so entitled that they forget not everyone can afford to own vehicles. I would rather suggest to further increase the price of premium fuel required for premium vehicles as these rich folk who live off their inheritance and don't need the service of a humble tuk tuk can surely afford to pay more.

    Harini Thursday, 18 October 2018 06:07 PM

    Rightly said James. The privileged in Colombo are mostly well heeled, eloquently spoken idiots. They actually are the lazy ones if you ask me, living off theft, black market money, drug money or an inheritance. But the point about cheap petrol is a crime against the environment I think you would agree. Yet another buuru move by a clueless administration of cattle driving cattle.

    Dee Thursday, 18 October 2018 08:40 PM

    Harini. You do have an inferiority complex. Anyone living a good life is all black money or drugs, as per you. Don't you realize that that so called poor payment hawker rips off more than a big time robber? . But for people like you , they are 'poor' so pay even double and buy from them. The roadside fish vendor is a good example. Sells poisoned stuff at about 20% more than super market prices. But it's ok. He's 'poor' Noh? You buy from em and pass!

    Wise Donkey Thursday, 18 October 2018 05:43 PM

    Let them run even with Kerosene

    S.P. Ramkumar Thursday, 18 October 2018 08:13 PM

    So it is high in Sulphur contents, is good for environmental and health concern.


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