Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody informed Parliament that the Rs. 50 tax on fuel will be removed once the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) debt, previously absorbed by the Treasury under the former government, is fully repaid.
The Minister said that of the Rs. 884 billion in CPC debt taken over by the Treasury, nearly half has already been settled, and that only standard government taxes are currently being imposed on fuel.
Responding to a question raised by SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekara on July 22, Minister Jayakody clarified that the fuel surcharge was introduced specifically to address CPC’s liabilities, and not as a permanent levy. He further stated that the Government is conducting investigations into possible fraudulent fuel sales that may have occurred during the period from September 21, 2023 to September 20, 2024.
Minister Jayakody also advised MP Jayasekara to stay informed about the fuel pricing formula and refrain from making unsubstantiated allegations regarding fuel taxes and pricing mechanisms.