Minister Gammanpila pointed out that the Presidential Media Division (PMD) in a statement dated June 13 set the record straight. “Those who had publicly criticised me for announcing the fuel price hike are aware of the circumstances leading to the June 11 announcement. Both the President and the Prime Minister endorsed the decision,” Minister Gammanpila said, adding that problems couldn’t be addressed through rhetoric. The lawyer explained that the Cost of Living Committee decided on the fuel price hike in the wake of Central Bank issuing a dire warning on the national economy. Referring to high profile SJB’s vehicle protest outside the parliament to highlight their demand to reduce fuel prices, Minister Gammanpila said the same lot called for IMF intervention to save the economy.

Source: The Nation July 09, 2021 00:22 UTC