Sri Lanka, March 11 -- Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the recent fuel price increase was implemented at a lower level than required to prevent a severe burden on the economy.

The Minister said the fuel consumption in the country had risen sharply over the past several days, leading to a reduction in existing reserves, prompting the importation of new fuel shipments at significantly higher global market prices.

He said that fuel price had to be adjusted, in order to balance two key priorities, controlling fuel consumption and mitigating a severe economic strain.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held at the Government Information Department yesterday (10), the Minister further said the Gover...