Fuel price hike; Govt offers relief

The relief offered by the Government to the people comes into force from today, February 19, according to reports. The relief measures include subsidies in cash and kind to fisheries sector, school van operators, three wheeler drivers, samurthy beneficiaries etc.

The government has allocated a sum of Rs 7 billion for this purpose. Out of this amount Rs2.5 billion is allocated for relief to the affected fishermen. Keresone oil subsidy of Rs200 is offered to 355,000 low income householders who do not use electricity.

Minister Maithripala Seneviratne, the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, has stated that the fuel price increase will be reduced the moment it comes down in the global market. The government was compelled to do so.