United National Party (UNP) MP and former Deputy Leader Ravi Karunanayake has called on the government to provide fuel relief to the public rather than foreign companies.
Speaking to the media, Karunanayake said a tax of around Rs. 145 is imposed on every litre of fuel transported from the port.
He said consumers ultimately bear the cost of this tax when purchasing fuel released to the market.
Karunanayake noted that when global oil prices increase, the government must decide whether to reduce the applicable taxes or increase domestic fuel prices.
He stressed that the government should provide relief to the public through the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation rather than providing subsidies to foreign companies.
