Govt and Opposition ‘Looking to US, India’ on Petroleum Issue, Claim National Organizations

May 1, 2026 at 07:58 PM

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Lanka Leader

National organizations have alleged that both the government and the opposition are aligning their positions with the United States and India on Sri Lanka’s petroleum policy, rather than prioritizing lower-cost options available to the country.

The issue resurfaced after The Island newspaper published a letter addressed to the President by several national organizations, criticizing the government’s failure to procure petroleum from Russia at concessional rates. However, questions have now been raised about the opposition’s silence on the matter.

Speaking to Lanka Leader, Dr. Wasantha Bandara, General Secretary of the Patriotic National Movement and a signatory to the letter, expressed concern over what he described as a lack of political will on both sides.

According to Dr. Bandara, the government’s reluctance to purchase discounted fuel from Russia has intensified the country’s economic crisis and increased the burden on the public. He alleged that despite the financial strain, authorities are hesitant to act independently due to external influence.

He further claimed that vested interests benefiting from higher-priced fuel imports may also be contributing to the situation, adding that the government appears to be acting in alignment with the interests of the US and India.

Dr. Bandara also criticized the opposition, stating that while it frequently raises allegations of corruption against the government, it has failed to challenge the administration over its fuel procurement decisions. He noted that opposition figures have not demanded an explanation for rejecting lower-cost petroleum options, suggesting a reluctance to confront the issue directly.

The remarks highlight growing debate over Sri Lanka’s energy policy as the country continues to navigate economic recovery.