Oil price hike:
Govt to provide relief
The Government will provide relief to all sectors affected by the
recent fuel hike that was made due to soaring world crude oil prices.
The Government has already announced unprecedented relief for many
sectors affected by the increase of petrol, diesel and coercion oil
prices, including the operators of school vans and three wheelers
drivers engaged in passenger transport.
Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, declared that the owners of
school vans will receive a subsidy of Rs. 10 per litre while
three-wheelers will also receive a similar subsidy up to three litres up
to a maximum of 25 days per month.
All households without electricity and rely on kerosene to illuminate
and cooking purposes of households will get a special subsidy. In
addition, coupons will be introduced for Samurdhi beneficiaries to
obtain a kerosene subsidy from next week and all these families will
receive a coupon worth Rs. 200.
The Government is also in the process of formulating a special
subsidy scheme for all other sectors in society affected by the recent
fuel hike. They should make their requests through their respective
Divisional Secretaries. Those eligible will receive the subsidy after
receiving approval from Grama Niladaries and other officers, according
to the Minister.
However, only registered three-wheelers engaged in transporting
passengers will qualify for the subsidy. Such three-wheel owners should
also seek the subsidy from their respective Divisional Secretaries.
Minister Sirisena said that the international community has also
accepted the fact that Sri Lanka is no longer a poor country and as a
result Sri Lanka does not receive donations which are normally granted
to developing countries. He added that the Government cannot provide
relief to everyone but would always assist poor people against the
rising oil prices.
Under the directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government
has given special emphasis on the people at grass root level, who would
encounter problems due to oil prices. Relief would be granted to all
such people in the villages.
However, the Minister pointed out that the increase of oil prices is
a temporary situation and prices of oil would be reduced no sooner the
global oil prices decline after the winter season in Europe.
He said the Government was compelled to take certain "unpopular
decisions" for the long term benefits of the people and the country.
Meanwhile, world crude oil prices rose to a near three-month peak in
heavy volume trading after a report showed the US economy in January
created jobs at the fastest pace in nine months, fueling hopes of
stronger demand in the top petroleum-consuming nation. |