Meeting to re-evaluate kerosene price hike

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A special meeting on the increase in the price of kerosene oil will be held today (May 15), between representatives of fishermen's associations and Minister of Fisheries, Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa. The government has focused its attention on providing subsidies to fishermen following the price hike. Issuing a communique, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources Development stated the government has decided to provide subsidies to low-income families with no access to electricity and boat owners using kerosene oil following the increase in prices on May 10. The communique signed by the Secretary to the ministry, Upali Marasinghe, adds that steps will be taken to deposit the money into the accounts of the beneficiaries. The ministry stated that once the relevant information is received by the samurdhi development department and the fisheries department, funds will be deposited to the relevant accounts immediately. However, fishermen's associations request for kerosene oil to be provided at the previous price instead of the proposed subsidies.