Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dullas Alahapperuma says the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation may have to reach a decision pertaining to fuel prices in comparison to the increase in prices of Lanka IOC.
Speaking during the weekly Cabinet media briefing today, Minister Alahapperuma said the CPC Chairman stated that it is facing a major crisis due to the fuel price hike.
The Minister said the Cabinet of Ministers did not reach a decision to increase CPC prices adding the matter was not discussed.
When questioned by media on reports of a disagreement between Minister Udaya Gammanpila and Parliamentarian Jayantha Ketagoda during yesterday’s meeting of the government Parliamentary group, the Cabinet Spokesman said it was wrong to report debates during the meeting as disagreements adding he was not part of yesterday’s Parliamentary group meeting.
Meanwhile, commenting on the statement by Minister Udaya Gammanpila that fuel is being supplied to the Ceylon Electricity Board due to the GCE Advanced Level Examination and that the CPC is not duty-bound to do so, Minister Alahapperuma claimed the Minister meant they were sensitive towards the matter as students are sitting the A/Level Exam.
Minister Alahapperuma said even though it was announced that scheduled power cuts will not be imposed, all citizens must contribute to conserving electricity.
He said a voltage greater than what is generated from the Randenigala Reservoir can be saved by switching off a 25W bulb during peak hours.
On a separate note, commenting on the shortage of cement and its impact on the ‘100,000 Projects’ rural development programme, the Cabinet Spokesman said the President yesterday issued directives to Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Customs to take steps to release the containers containing essential items.
The Minister said there may be some delays when implementing the projects adding however there had been no obstacles when commencing projects within their electorates.
He claimed cement will not be required immediately at the beginning of any project as the first quarter of the year is spent on preparing estimates, obtaining relevant permits and implementing the tender process.
