Diesel Costs Rs 528 to Import, You Pay Rs 392 — Fair Subsidy or Propping Up SUVs?

CPC's chairman said this month that a litre of diesel now costs around Rs 528 at current import prices, but it's still sold at the pump for Rs 392. The government covers about Rs 70 of that gap through a relief scheme, and CPC absorbs most of the rest itself, even as the corporation keeps reporting losses overall. Supporters say the subsidy keeps buses, lorries and fishing boats running, and that letting diesel jump to its real price would hit food and transport costs for everyone, not just vehicle owners. Critics point out that private double-cabs, vans and SUVs burn plenty of that cheap diesel too, so a real chunk of the relief is quietly going to people who could afford the full price, while taxpayers and CPC cover the loss. Is this well-targeted relief or a handout that mostly benefits comfortable diesel SUV owners? If you're running a diesel vehicle, has the subsidy actually changed your monthly fuel bill, or have the base price hikes already wiped out any benefit? ඩීසල් සබ්සිඩිය හරියට ඕන අයට යනවාද, නැත්නම් ලොකු වැන් සහ එස්යූවී උන්ටම වැඩි ප්‍රයෝජනය ලැබෙනවාද?