Considering the drastic reduction of fuel prices in the international market, the Movement for the Protection of Consumer Rights demanded the government to sell a litre of petrol at Rs 90 and a litre of diesel at Rs 70.

The Chairman of the movement Ranjith Vithanage told media that crude oil can be imported to the country at Rs 22.75 at the current foreign exchange rates. Crude oil prices have dropped to US $ 30 per barrel, he pointed out.

He warned that the Movement for the Protection of Consumer Rights will launch a campaign to force the government to reduce prices if it did not respond within a reasonable time.

Crude oil prices skyrocketed in the aftermath of the Iraq war in 2003, reaching over US $ 145 in 2008. However, several factors including economic downturn in China and over production has drastically reduced the prices. The fuel prices fell below US $ 30 after more than a decade.