Fuel Hike Hits Sri Lankan Motorists: CPC Announces Price Revisions Overnight
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – July 1, 2025 – Sri Lankan commuters and businesses are bracing for increased costs as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced a significant upward revision in fuel prices, effective from midnight on Monday, June 30th. The move, which sees increases across key fuel types, is expected to ripple through the economy, impacting transportation, goods, and daily living expenses.
According to the CPC’s official statement, the price of Petrol 92 Octane has risen by Rs. 12, bringing the new per-litre price to Rs. 305. Auto Diesel also saw a notable increase of Rs. 15, now retailing at Rs. 289 per litre. Kerosene, a vital fuel for many households and small businesses, is now Rs. 7 more expensive, priced at Rs. 185 per litre.
However, some relief was offered to users of higher-octane fuels, with the prices of Petrol 95 Octane (Rs. 341) and Super Diesel (Rs. 325) remaining unchanged in this latest revision.
The decision comes amidst ongoing global economic uncertainties and reflects the continuous adjustments of Sri Lanka’s fuel pricing formula, which takes into account international crude oil prices, exchange rates, and local operational costs. While the exact reasons for this specific hike were not immediately detailed by the CPC, industry analysts suggest rising global oil benchmarks could be a contributing factor.
Lanka IOC, another major fuel retailer in the country, has also confirmed that it will adjust its retail prices to align with the new rates announced by Ceypetco, ensuring uniform pricing across the market.
This latest increase is likely to be met with concern by the public, who have already been navigating a period of economic adjustments. Transportation costs for goods and services are expected to rise, potentially leading to increased prices for essential commodities. Motorists, already grappling with previous price changes, will now face a higher burden at the pump.
As the nation grapples with these new fuel prices, the focus will turn to how the government plans to mitigate the impact on vulnerable segments of the population and whether any further measures will be introduced to cushion the blow of rising living costs.
