Sri Lanka It's Happening

May 8, 2005

Around one year ago, when the prices of petrolium started their bull run, the minister in charge appeared on TV and solemnly pledged that the prices will not be raised. At the time I predicted that since this government does exactly the opposite of what is says a price hike was just around the corner.

As predicted the price change followed soon after, they were revised again later on but the last revision took place in September. Since then the price of Petrolium in the international market has sky rocketed while our government continued to make hay as if it was crude oil that flowed on our rivers.

Here is a golden opportunity for us to look to look for alternative fuels. We have no shortage of sunshine or high winds but these resources are constantly being ignored because the government is quite happy to subsidize multinational companies. That is quite funny because multinational companies are the favourite whipping boys of our ministers full of hot air.

Getting back to the price hike, petrol has been increased by Rs 6.00 ($0.06) per liter, diesel by 4.00 and kerosene by 3.00. It is too little too late, the government is still losing about Rs 10.00 per liter on petrol, or rather the government is subsidizing multinational companies to the tune of Rs 10.00 per liter.

Here is a golden opportunity for us to ease some of the congestion in Colombo. Here is the chance to move some of the polluting vehicles off the roads. Sadly for Sri Lanka our governments only recognize opportunities if it involves kick backs for them.

Posted by raditha at May 8, 2005 5:00 AM