Energy Minister challenges NPP, SJB to debate fuel taxes, alleged corruption

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara has invited the National People's Power (NPP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to a debate on their energy policies, the government's energy policy and allegations of corruption in the energy sector.

In a post on “X” (formerly Twitter), Wijesekara highlighted the recent statement by NPP presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake that he would reduce fuel prices by removing the Rs 50 per litre tax on fuel that was imposed in 2022, to recover the debt taken over by the Treasury.

The Energy Minister, who pointed out that Dissanayake had said the debt had now been recovered and the tax in question could be waived, expressed his displeasure, saying: “I don't see how they come up with these figures and claims aimed at misleading the public and the voters.”

Furthermore, Wijesekara wrote: “The president had to take unpopular but wise decisions to stabilise the economy and the energy sector. Thanks to these decisions, we are enjoying uninterrupted fuel supply in the country.”

“The Treasury took over a debt of CPC (Ceylon Petroleum Corporation) worth Rs 1,200 billion (US$ 3,400 million) in 2022 and imposed an initial tax of Rs 25 per litre and then increased it in 2023 to Rs 50 per litre to recover the debt by 2029. By early 2025, the estimated remaining debt will be Rs 656 billion. It will take another 4 years for CPC to repay the entire debt transferred to the Treasury,” Minister Wijesekara said.

Further, the minister said he “would like to know how the AKD will reduce the Rs 50 tax and fill the remaining Rs 656 billion gap.”

“Will he print money, take out more loans to repay, raise other taxes or do something else?” the minister asked.

“I invite the NPP and the SJB to debate their energy policies, the government’s energy policy and the allegations of corruption in the energy sector,” he added.