SriLanka, Aug. 22 -- Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament that fuel importing costs have significantly increased in the first half of 2026 in comparison to the first half of 2025 due to the adverse impact created by the Middle East conflict and the Government has taken measures to minimise the adverse impact that people have to face as a result. She said that a significant increase in global fuel costs due to the Middle East war situation had adversely impacted not only Sri Lanka, but many other countries as a common problem that had to be faced.

She said that besides the massive increase in the fuel importing costs, the country had to face the merchandise account deficit which has widened, resulting in the increase of c...