Friday, 10th October 2014
By Chaminda Perera
In a bid to realise the government's goal of ensuring better living standards for every citizen of the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday decided to reduce the price of a domestic LP gas cylinder by Rs. 250.
President Rajapaksa issued specific instructions to the Finance and Planning Ministry to reduce the price of a gas cylinder from today. The President who participated in the Pensioners' Day celebrations in Wedamulla, Kelaniya yesterday made this announcement in response to a public request.
Addressing the public, President Rajapaksa said that the people who thanked him for reducing the prices of oil and electricity, requested him to reduce the gas prices too if possible. The President announced that he would instruct the officials to reduce the gas prices from today.
The price of electricity was also reduced by 25 percent recently while a litre of kerosene was also reduced by Rs. 20 on the directions of President Rajapaksa.
Prices of a litre of diesel and petrol were reduced by Rs. 3 and Rs. 5 respectively on the orders of the President.
Meanwhile, in a release the Co-operative and Internal Trade Ministry states that on the directives of President Rajapaksa, steps had been taken to reduce the prices of gas with effect from midnight yesterday.
Minister Johnston Fernando said the Gazette notification will be issued today giving effect to the reduction of the gas price by Rs. 250 per 12.5 kg gas cylinder. He added the intention of the President is to pass on the benefit of a reduction of price in the World Market to the people. A metric ton of gas in the World Market was US$ 1,017 1 January year and by now the price has came down to US$ 756 per metric ton. Minister Fernando also reminded that tax on gas was completely waived by President Rajapaksa in the year 2010.
"The last time the price of gas was reduced was in July 2012 by Rs. 150. And presently consumers pay Rs. 2,396 per gas cylinder. The new price will be Rs. 2,146 per cylinder of gas," he added.
From: Daily News. http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/presidents-instructions-gas-prices-reduced-rs-250
