The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has affected the prices of goods and services in Sri Lanka, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held today (27), Minister Jayatissa said the government would take every possible measure to provide relief to the public, despite rising prices.

He explained that the conflict in the Middle East had driven up global fuel prices, forcing Sri Lanka to increase domestic fuel prices as well. However, the government had taken steps to provide a subsidy to ease the burden on consumers.

Minister Jayatissa also noted that the government had allocated Rs. 17.5 billion in subsidies to provide relief on electricity bills.

In addition, the government has taken steps to provide Rs. 6,000 each to 1.5 million schoolchildren this year and increase Aswesuma welfare benefits to support people affected by rising living costs.

Addressing the impact of the Middle East conflict and global economic instability, Minister Jayatissa said fuel prices had increased on several occasions despite the government providing subsidies. He added that fuel prices had risen sharply over the past few days, further contributing to the pressure on domestic prices.

The Minister further stated that an amount equivalent to the additional funding allocated for annual public sector salary increases had generally been set aside for fuel subsidies.

He stressed that the present administration was also working to introduce further relief measures but pointed out that such assistance would have to be funded through available Treasury resources.

The Minister reiterated that the government would continue taking steps to ease the financial burden on the public amid rising prices and ongoing global economic uncertainty.