A fierce political showdown erupts as explosive claims of inflated oil prices are dismissed as fabricated propaganda, with warnings of legal action against those accused of misleading the nation.
National People’s Power MP Asitha Niroshana has strongly declared that legal action will be taken against media channels spreading claims that the government purchased crude oil at an exaggerated price of $286 per barrel, calling the reports entirely false and politically motivated.
He emphasized that the narrative being circulated by certain media institutions is not only inaccurate but also designed to mislead the public by distorting key government decisions related to national energy security and fuel procurement policies.
According to the MP, the widely discussed $286 figure has no factual basis, and he clarified that the highest price paid by the government for a barrel of crude oil during the relevant period was approximately $110 to $111, aligning with global market rates.
He further explained that the misinformation appears to have originated from a misrepresentation of a statement made by a banking official, where references to refined fuel such as diesel were incorrectly portrayed as crude oil purchases, creating confusion among the public.
Reaffirming the government’s position, Niroshana stated that not a single dollar above the international market price has been paid for oil imports, highlighting that protecting public funds and ensuring financial accountability remains a top priority for the administration.
Addressing the political undertones of the controversy, the MP alleged that certain groups are manipulating media narratives with the intention of destabilizing the government, suggesting that these efforts are linked to attempts to secure the release of an individual currently serving a life sentence.
He openly accused specific media outlets of acting with a hidden agenda aimed at undermining the current government, asserting that such efforts are driven by frustration over the administration’s refusal to interfere with judicial processes or grant unjustified pardons.
Reflecting on the recent energy crisis in Sri Lanka, Niroshana noted that both the Cabinet and the Procurement Committee had granted approval to procure fuel at prevailing market prices in order to eliminate fuel queues and ensure uninterrupted supply for the public.
However, he stressed that all procurement decisions were carried out with transparency and proper oversight, rejecting allegations of corruption in coal and crude oil pricing as politically engineered misinformation campaigns.
Concluding his remarks, the MP stated that firm steps will be taken to counter false reporting and protect the integrity of public communication, reiterating that the government’s responsibility is to uphold the rule of law and safeguard national interests rather than yield to political pressure.
