Diesel price formula questioned by Patali Champika Ranawaka as he asks how Singapore Platts diesel at Rs. 300 becomes Rs. 720.
Diesel price formula questions have intensified after former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka asked how diesel priced around Rs. 300 under the Singapore market rate becomes Rs. 720 in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a media briefing, Ranawaka said that according to the Singapore Platts index, when the price of a barrel of diesel is calculated in rupees, the cost per litre is approximately Rs. 300.
He thanked the President for stating that the diesel price was around Rs. 720, but stressed that the President must explain to the country how the price had risen from Rs. 300 to Rs. 720.
Ranawaka alleged that while fuel pricing formulas were made public under previous administrations, the current government is now suppressing those facts and issuing false statements to the people.
“Today this government is suppressing everything and making distorted statements to the public,” he said.
Commenting further on the energy crisis, the former Minister said serious technical issues had emerged because coal had not been procured on time by following a proper tender procedure.
He revealed that, as a result, two coal ships had been unable to unload and were stranded mid-way.
He added that the prevailing rainy weather had made those unloading operations even more difficult.
Ranawaka also rejected allegations that coal had been brought without tenders during his period in government.
He challenged those making such claims to show any instance where such transactions were carried out on his orders.
The former Minister further said that instead of finding solutions to the current energy crisis, certain parties were engaged in political mudslinging by dragging up incidents from 2008.
