No MP given fuel at subsidized rates; Energy Minister refutes claims
May 19, 2022 11:28 am
Minister of Energy Kanchana Wijesekara has refuted the posts in circulation, which claimed that Members of Parliament are given fuel at subsidized rates.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, the lawmaker said, “While I do understand the frustration and anger from the public, posts shared on MPs been given subsidized fuel rates are false.”
No parliamentarian from either side or anyone has been given subsidized rates than the current market prices given the public, the energy minister’s tweet read further.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has been instructed to carry out an investigation into the rates displayed on the dispenser at the police garage, he added.
“No one will be extended privileges on fuel stations other than ambulance essential services.”
(1) While I do understand the frustration and anger from the public, posts shared on MPs been given subsidized fuel rates is false. No MP from either side or anyone has been given subsidized rates than the current market prices given to the public.
— Kanchana Wijesekera (@kanchana_wij) May 19, 2022
Addressing the parliamentary session this morning, Minister Wijesekara said the MPs of the ruling party and the opposition have come under unfair criticism due to erroneous posts in circulation since last night.
On Wednesday, the Inspector-General of Police had given directives to dispense fuel volumes to the vehicles of parliamentarians upon payment made by cash, from the Police Transport Division’s filling station in Narahenpita. The directives came after a request made by the Speaker of Parliament.
Speaking further today, Minister Wijesekara explained that the CPC had given clear instructions to pump fuel to the parliamentarians’ vehicles at the current rates in the market and the restrictions set for fuel dispensing.
He said the filling station’s fuel dispenser has not been updated in years and a technical fault has been committed.
Against this backdrop, the filling station in question has been instructed to suspend issuing fuel to MPs’ vehicles since this morning, he added.
