COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Former Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has called on the government to slash the taxes imposed on fuel and provide relief to the People.He told reporters on Monday (14) that the reason for the recent fuel price hike in Sri Lanka was not prompted by the rise in global oil prices.Gammanpila said that mismanagement of Sri Lanka’s reserves, as well as the forced controls on the rupee, was instrumental in causing the present crisis, including a fuel price hike.He further slammed the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, MP Sagara Kariyawasam for calling for his resignation when prices were increased earlier, but is mum when fuel prices were increased in a record hike.“During my tenure as the Energy Minister, I increased the prices of diesel by Rs.
7 as per the recommendations of the Prime Minister and President. Then General Secretary of the SLPP asked me to resign,” he said, adding that when fuel prices were increased in March 2022 by Rs.