Addressing a media briefing, parliamentarian Gayantha Karunathilake said the price of a barrel of oil had come down to between US $ 69 and 72.
“As such a litre of petrol, when it reaches Colombo port, costs only Rs. 52,” he said.
“However, today, the consumer has to pay Rs. 115 for that 52-rupee litre of petrol,” said Karunathilaka.
Meanwhile Harin Fernando says that the government is attempting to bring forth a constitutional amendment which will enable the president to stay in power for any number of terms he wishes.
“This system is not to be found anywhere in the world. Even American President Obama and French President Sarkozy have a certain time period in office.
“It is not mentioned in the Constitution. They don’t have an ethical right to remain for more than two terms. Therefore most often they respectfully step down and allow a!!WARN_FL1!!new person to take over. Look at what is going to happen to our country now…,” said Harin.
A journalist raised a question: “You talk about such an ethical culture overseas, where they step down after two terms. Why doesn’t it happen inside the party?
“Our party has discussed the matter. We will answer the question. He will provide you with an answer about the reforms within the party. In fact this is even discussed in the amendments,” said Harin.
Furthermore, the office of the President and the office of a party leader are two different issues, he added.
Meanwhile, responding to UNP claims that crude oil prices have come down in the world market, Susil Premajayantha; Minister of Petroleum Industries said that at present the government was not in a position to revise fuel prices.
“Global crude oil prices have been fluctuating over the past few weeks. Six weeks ago, the price of a barrel of crude oil stood at over $80. Therefore over the next few weeks we will be receiving the stocks we ordered back then. Although the price of a barrel of crude oil dropped to $69 two weeks ago, it went back up to $75 yesterday. There is a forecast that this may increase in the near future as well. Therefore we are not in a position to revise fuel prices,” he added.
