Courtesy Adaderana

Fuel prices have been increased with effect from today (Dec. 21), the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said. 

Accordingly, the price of 92 Octane Petrol has been increased by Rs. 20 per litre with the new price declared as Rs. 177 per litre.

The price of 95 Octane Petrol has been increased by Rs. 23, from Rs. 184 to Rs. 207.

Auto Diesel has been increased by Rs. 10 while Super Diesel has been increased by Rs. 15. The new prices are Rs. 121 per litre of Auto Diesel and Rs. 159 per litre of Super Diesel. 

The price of Kerosene has also been increased by Rs. 10, from Rs. 77 per litre to Rs. 87.

Earlier today, it was reported that Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal had written to Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on increasing fuel prices. 

Reportedly, the CBSL governor had pointed out that importing petroleum to the country further deepens Sri Lanka’s forex crisis and that the prices of petrol and diesel must be hiked.

In light of this development when Ada Derana spoke to the Central Bank to ger confirmation on the matter, the CBSL officials however neither confirmed nor denied the claims.

With rumours also in circulation of a fuel shortage on the island, Minister of Power Udaya Gammanpila had moved to assure that there are sufficient fuel reserves in the country to last until mid-January next year.

He also added that even though there is a problem in opening the relevant Letters of Credit, there is no need to worry of fuel shortage as four or five fuel ships are scheduled to arrive every week.