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JVP vows to protest over fuel price hike

12 Feb 2012 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The JVP today disputed the government’s claim that fuel prices were increased due to rising global market prices and the crisis situation in Iran which is a major oil producer in the world.

Addressing a news conference, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said the government had contradicted itself in this case. Mr. Herath said though the government raised fuel prices citing prevailing high prices in the world market, the stocks available locally were imported one month ago.

The JVP has planned to hold countrywide demonstrations tomorrow to protest against the government decision, and the main protest will be held opposite the Fort Railway Station.

“In the statement issued by the government, it admitted that available stocks were sufficient for 40 days. Therefore, there cannot be an impact from the present global price hikes to the domestic market. Also, they attribute the price hike to the volatile satiation in Iran after the imposition of economic sanctions. We import crude oil from Iran to be refined. That amount accounts for only 40 per cent of the country’s requirement. We import the rest as refined oil from companies in Dubai and Singapore. The excuse given by the government is not valid as a result,” he said.

Mr. Herath said the country was reeling under the high fuel prices today and the ordinary people would have to take the brunt of this crisis.

“Actually, the government is unable to give concessions to people because of rampant corruption, ineffective management and extravagant expenses on events such as Deyata Kirula. Otherwise, it is a blatant lie that the prices were raised due to fluctuations in the world market,” he said.

He also charged that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) did not issue fuel last evening to maintain stocks after the price hike imposed from midnight today.

“The CPC must be making huge profits at the moment,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)

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JVP vows to protest over fuel price hike

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