Private Pumps Lose Rs 160/Litre on Diesel but Must Match CPC's Price — Fair?

Private fuel distributors like Sinopec, IOC and RM Parks aren't allowed to set their own pump prices — by rule, they must match whatever CPC announces, even though CPC covers part of its supply from its own refinery while private players import every drop at today's cost. This month a parliamentary committee (COPF) flagged that private firms are losing up to Rs 160 a litre on diesel under this arrangement, and pushed for an independent regulator to set fuel prices instead of leaving it tied to CPC's numbers. One side says this protects drivers from private importers padding margins when they can. The other side says forcing private pumps to sell at a loss just means rationed supply, shorter hours, or queues shifting back to CPC stations — which ends up hurting the same drivers the rule was meant to protect. If CPC keeps deciding the price for everyone, is that protecting you or just protecting CPC from competition? Have you noticed private stations near you cutting hours or running short lately? ඔයාලගේ පාරේ පොම්පවල තත්ත්වය වෙනස් වෙලාද?