Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said the government will not raise fuel prices to meet the demands of private fuel suppliers, according to remarks reported on Sunday.
The minister said private fuel companies are free to set their own selling prices based on their costs, in line with the agreements under which they operate. The government is not prepared to place a burden on consumers to suit the requirements of private companies, he said.
Karunathilaka also warned that the government would take appropriate action if private suppliers continued to restrict fuel supplies.
The remarks follow concerns over supply restrictions by private companies and their pricing demands. Fuel prices affect transport costs and the price of many goods, so the dispute matters to households and businesses across the country.
The government has not said what action it could take against suppliers.
