Sri Lanka, June 1 -- Former Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has alleged that rising fuel prices in Sri Lanka are due to weak governance and poor management rather than a global crisis.

Speaking at a media briefing, Ranawaka raised concerns over what he described as irregularities in recent diesel procurement and the current fuel pricing mechanism.

He claimed that during diesel purchases from a foreign company, a premium charge of Rs. 118 per litre had been paid, of which Rs. 110 was added as extra tax.

The former minister also challenged authorities to explain how diesel prices of Rs. 720 and Rs. 750 per litre had been calculated, arguing that current fuel prices are unjustified when compared with global market trends.

He fur...