Fuel price hikes: Commodity prices on the rise

26 Jun 2021

Fuel price hikes: Commodity prices on the rise

26 Jun 2021

By Yumiko Perera The economy is reeling from the impact of the pandemic, and for the common man, every day is nothing short of a struggle. The recent hike in fuel prices came as a hard blow not only to the common folk but various industries across several sectors that seem to have taken a hit. While the Government maintains that the fuel price increases were one factor in its common strategy to strengthen the local economy, thereby defending their move, economic rebound still remains uncertain. The Sunday Morning reached out to several individuals to understand their perspectives on the matter at hand. A domino effect Trevin Perera, 26, undergraduate It's only natural that the prices of all commodities would increase with the rise in fuel prices, and I don't condone the move, especially given the situation in the country. It goes without saying that this would only make things hard for the people who are already struggling to make ends meet. While essential items usually come with a price ceiling, we have witnessed the prices of essential goods skyrocketing in the recent past for many reasons. It creates a sort of domino effect which would impact everything. Situation going from bad to worse Dushan Silva, 29, entrepreneur Vegetables are already pricey and it is only a matter of time until the prices for other essential goods increase too. I don't know how people are going to be able to handle the added pressure, on top of the pandemic. Things only seem to be going from bad to worse. The Government is now opting to import rice to be able to provide some sort of relief to the consumers, but what about the farmers who are still awaiting fertiliser for their crops? Two wrongs do not make a right, and the Government needs to step up if they aim to control the situation. Now a fight for survival Vayani De Soyza, 28, executive accountant I don't think the people have started to feel the consequences of the fuel price hike yet, given the travel restrictions that were in place. However, the price increase has only made the people tighten their belts further. The prices of essential items are ridiculous, and it is now a fight for survival for most people. The Rs. 5,000 allowance the Government has been handing out to the less fortunate does not even cut it, and it most definitely does not suffice as an amount any family can survive on. Vendors selling overpriced produce citing fuel hike Marina Fernando, 52, homemaker Mobile vendors sell vegetables and other essentials as per their whims and every day there is an increase in the prices of vegetables and other goods they sell. They have already started to use the fuel price hike as an excuse for their produce being ridiculously expensive, and people don't even have the chance to go out and purchase whatever they want, given the situation in the country. If this persists, I don't know how people are going to survive. The travel restrictions have not made things any easier for us either. There doesn't seem to be any relief. A necessary move for the economy Tharindu, 36, banker I understand that the public would have a very tough time with the price increases. However, with the increase in global oil prices, I believe the move was necessary in order to make sure the economy stays afloat. At the end of the day, it is a balancing act and has a direct impact on how stable the economy would remain. The prices of essential goods are certainly too high. However, I believe the Government needs to consider concessionary benefits if they are to counter the circumstances the people are facing at present. Pressures keep piling for daily wage earners Melissa Perera, 27, graduate Even people with a steady income are finding it hard to cope with the situation, and the constantly rising prices of essential goods do not help one bit. Those who earn daily wages are the most impacted and I dread to think what they must be going through. Times are hard and it only seems to be getting harder, and people are growing more desperate for some sort of stability. There doesn't seem to be any means of relief to the people, as most are struggling to get back on their feet, and the pressure only keeps piling up. Factoring in that most people in our country do not have additional sources of income, it's jarring, to say the least. Govt. should introduce concessionary benefits Nihal Peiris, 63, retired teacher I believe there needs to be a mechanism that controls the prices for essential goods, but when oil prices rise, naturally the prices for all commodities increase, and the only thing the Government can do at this point is to introduce concessionary benefits, especially for those who don't have a steady income. The people of this country have suffered a great deal, but things don't seem to be looking up for them in any way, and it is genuinely a sad state of affairs when you don't know what else awaits you. Even before the pandemic, things hadn't been any different; the rich get richer and the poor remain poor, and the pandemic has only added to the troubles. Fuel price hike should be reconsidered Vinuri Hewage, 24, undergraduate There is so much uncertainty in the country and it’s honestly very unnerving. There is a sector of people who wouldn't be affected by the fuel price increase in the least, but the majority of the people in our country live from pay check to pay check. The fuel price hike in the middle of the pandemic has only further pressurised the general public, who are already struggling. The prices of essential goods are sky high and the pandemic has caused so much distress to the people as it is. Most people don't have a steady flow of income and I believe that the fuel price hike must be reconsidered, and the prices of the essential goods need to be reduced as well. Govt. turning a blind eye to common man’s plight Nimali Gurusinghe, 42, education co-ordinator The authorities seem to have a lot of excuses to defend the move to increase fuel prices, but the move has only made life harder for the people of the country. Everything is expensive, and on top of that, a steady income itself has become a luxury to most people. Daily wage earners are the most impacted, especially given the Covid situation. How are they supposed to go out and make a living? Even if they could, the prices of vegetables, rice, and other essentials are so high. The Government simply chooses to turn a blind eye towards the plight of the people, and regardless of who has the authority to make a change, the oppressed would continue to be oppressed. Adds to pandemic uncertainty Sahani Perera, 24, undergraduate The decision to increase fuel prices came at a very bad time, in my opinion. People are already in dire straits and if prices of essential goods are to increase further, the majority of people in the country would not be able to handle it. Things are already bad as it is and judging by the looks of it, what the future holds is still uncertain, especially with the pandemic. Govt. showing true colours Deepal Perera, 57, manager The present Government continues to show their true colours, and we don't even know what else awaits us. People are already struggling; most don't have jobs, some have even lost their jobs thanks to the coronavirus, and the Government continues to make poor decisions. It’s unfortunate how most of these decisions are being made without taking into account the general public that would be directly impacted.

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Fuel price hikes: Commodity prices on the rise

Fuel price hikes: Commodity prices on the rise

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