Vociferous Mangala Samaraweera has launched a scathing attack on the fuel hike, accusing the government of siphoning off nearly Rs 2.5 billion by scrapping the price formula introduced by himself.
He said when the oil prices fell to an all time low in April 2020, the government did not pass that benefit to the consumers and instead, the government spiphoned off nearly 2.5 b by scrapping the price formula.
He is questioning whether the government is now trying to use that money to buy duty free SUVs which he suspended in 2019.
When Samaraweera served as the finance minister of the previous UNF government, he introduced a price formula which he then described as more beneficial to the public.
When the government led by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa came into power, the formula was removed.
"Having scrapped fuel formula in '20, FM has siphoned off nearly US $ 2.5 B which ought to have passed onto the consumer fell to an all time low in April 20 for nearly an year,"
Samaraweera said in a tweet.
"Is the money being used for the duty free SUVs for MPs which as FM suspended in '19?" he questioned in his tweet.
(Mirror)