Government Provides Rs. 20 Billion Fuel Subsidies; New Crude Oil Shipments Scheduled to Sustain Refinery Operations

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says that as a supportive mechanism for the public, the government will be providing a subsidy of Rs. 100 per liter of diesel and Rs. 20 per liter of petrol.

He added that the total expenditure borne by the government for a period of one month will be at Rs. 20 Billion.

According to Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has confirmed the arrival of several major shipments. 

He confirmed that a diesel shipment of 37,000 MT that was unloaded on March 1 and another petrol shipment of 37,000 MT that was received between March 7 & 8 were both priced during a period of rising international rates. 

Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa added that a third shipment of diesel carrying 37,000 MT is expected by March 25.

He emphasized that currently the domestic refinery to supplement imports by processing crude oil into essential fuels meets the following national requirements of 70% of Jet Fuel, 30% of Diesel and 20%–25% of Petrol

Accordingly, to sustain refinery operations, two large crude oil shipments of 90,000 MT each have been scheduled fo March 24th–25th and
April 12th–13th.