Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne recently claimed at an event that the price of diesel has been reduced by Rs. 120 since the current government came to power. His statement, which has been widely shared on social media, has drawn sharp criticism.

What the Deputy Minister Said

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EMJNvrcjS/

Karunaratne stated that the prices of diesel, petrol, and kerosene had been reduced significantly in recent months, bringing major benefits to the public.

FactSeeker’s Verification

FactSeeker reviewed official fuel price announcements from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) since the National People’s Power (NPP) government assumed office under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in September 2024.

On September 30, 2024, the CPC announced the following reductions:

• Lanka White Diesel: Rs. 307 → Rs. 283 (↓ Rs. 24)
• Lanka Super Diesel: Rs. 352 → Rs. 319 (↓ Rs. 33)
• Lanka Petrol 92 Octane: Rs. 332 → Rs. 311 (↓ Rs. 21)

Fuel prices continued to be adjusted under the monthly revision system introduced in December 2022, with both increases and decreases taking place.

The latest revision on August 31, 2025, reduced prices again:

• Lanka White Diesel: Rs. 289 → Rs. 283 (↓ Rs. 6)
• Lanka Super Diesel: Rs. 331 → Rs. 319 (↓ Rs. 12)
• Lanka Petrol 92 Octane: Rs. 317 → Rs. 311 (↓ Rs. 6)

Octane 95 Petrol and Kerosene: No change

The Reality

Between September 30, 2024 and August 31, 2025:

• Lanka White Diesel fell by Rs. 24 per litre
• Super Diesel fell by Rs. 33 per litre
• Petrol 92 Octane fell by Rs. 21 per litre

At no point did diesel prices drop by Rs. 120.

Conclusion

FactSeeker confirms that Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne’s statement is false. Since the current government came to power, diesel prices have decreased by Rs. 24 per litre, not Rs. 120 as claimed.