Fuel price reduction unlikely - Min. Mahinda Amaraweera

Colombo (News 1st) - Minister of Transport Services Management, Mahinda Amaraweera said, prices of Fuel in Sri Lanka cannot be reduced immediately although, fuel prices have reduced drastically in the global market. According to the Minister, the reduction of fuel prices in the global market is still fluctuating adding discussions were held with the President and the Prime Minister regarding the matter yesterday. Therefore, Minister Amaraweera said, a decision will be reached soon following discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister, on the best possible approach for the general public to directly benefit from the reduction of fuel prices. According to the Minister, the government has its reservations as to whether the ad-hoc decisions taken by the government are realistically rippled down to the general public. Minister Amaraweera noted, bus fares, transportation costs, school van fees and office transport fares were not reduced, when the fuel prices were reduced last time, adding this means, the benefits of fuel price reduction never reached the general public. Minister Amaraweera further noted, the government is analyzing this situation to determine if it is a temporary dip in price adding over the next few days, there will be several concessions given to the people. The Minister emphasized, the aim of the government is to maintain fuel prices at a stable price.