### Opposition Leader Urges Fuel Tax Cuts Following India’s Excise Duty Reduction ⛽

• The Call for Action: Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged the Sri Lankan Government to reduce fuel taxes, citing India’s recent decision to cut Special Additional Excise Duty on petrol and eliminate it on diesel to provide consumer relief. • Current Fiscal Context: • Fuel Tax Revenue: Generates approximately Rs. 20 billion monthly. • Annual Diesel Revenue: Contributed Rs. 240 billion in the previous year. • Debt Burden: The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) continues to carry significant debt levels. • Government Response: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake confirmed the matter is under review but noted a preference for targeted subsidies over general relief, in alignment with IMF policies. • Implementation Hurdles: The President highlighted that the scale of Sri Lanka’s informal economy complicates the distribution of targeted relief, though tax-based concessions are being evaluated.