National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa has alleged that the recent fuel price increase is not solely a result of global market trends, but a deliberate move by the Government to burden the public.

Speaking at a special media briefing held at the party headquarters on Robert Gunawardena Mawatha in Battaramulla yesterday (22), he described the price hike as a “black market gamble” carried out by what he termed an ineffective administration.

Weerawansa further claimed that the Government was holding back existing fuel stocks and selling them at revised prices to generate excessive profits.

He also warned that imposing excessive taxes while increasing fuel prices would place further strain on the public, and cautioned that failure to provide adequate support to public transport services could significantly disrupt the economy.