According to the decision made by Cabinet on the 10th of May, the price of a liter kerosene was increased from Rs. 44 rupees to Rs. 101 rupees, an increase of Rs. 57. Following the 130% increase, the government said the heavy subsidized fuel is being misused by owners of heavy vehicles including buses and lorries. The Government further noted a relief program will be created to ensure that low-income earners and the fishing community will not be adversely affected by the oil price increase.

However with mounting pressure from Fishermen and other low-income groups, the cabinet today decided to reduce the price of kerosene. Minister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economic Affairs Vijith Vijayamuni Soysa stated that a cabinet paper was presented today that to sell Kerosene oil at 70 rupees a liter, not only to the fishermen but to everyone. However, the minister had previously stated that the imposition of tax on fuel is a good thing