Special relief package- Diesel subsidy up to Rs. 100 per litre, Rs. 20 for petrol

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake came to Parliament today to share the government's new economic relief plan for people affected by the crisis in the Middle East. In his speech, the President pointed out that many sectors in Sri Lanka have been hurt by the ongoing global conflicts. He emphasized that the government is paying close attention to these issues. The President mentioned that fuel and energy are especially important since changes in fuel prices affect people's everyday lives. He noted that, at present, a liter of diesel costs over Rs. 600. “On May 1, or around that date, we will bring back fuel pricing that reflects actual costs. The prices will be based on data from the previous month. In the upcoming changes, we plan to offer a subsidy of up to Rs. 100 per liter for diesel and up to Rs. 20 per liter for petrol,” he explained. He added, “We expect to spend around Rs. 20 billion each month. This plan is set for three months, and the subsidy will go to specific communities.” However, the President also mentioned that because there is not enough data, the prices for Super Diesel and Super Petrol will match market prices. As a result, the government will cover Rs. 100 per liter for regular diesel, which leads to a total estimated cost of Rs. 60 billion for the three-month period.