Cabinet has decided to postpone a decision over fuel prices until next week

Media minister Laxman Yapa Abeywardene told BBC Sandeshaya that the ministers will decide on further action as they meet next week.

“The ministers will take a decision after considering the overall impact of the court decision on tax revenue,” he told BBCSinhala.com.

Earlier, the Secretary to the Finance Ministry has informed the judiciary that an order to reduce the price of fuel was already conveyed to the authorities.

The ministers will take a decision after considering the overall impact of the court decision on tax revenue Media minister Laxman Yapa Abeywardene

In an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, Sumith Abeysinghe said he conveyed the court order to the Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers on 17 December.

After considering a petition, the court ordered the government on 17 December to reduce the price of a litre of petrol to 100 rupees.

He received a copy of the court order at 21.45 SLT on 18 December, Mr. Abeysinghe said.

'Cabinet inforemd'

The affidavit further added that he sought permission from the finance minister to amend regulations on fuel import according to the court order.

	Ministers were informed of the court ruling just after it was delivered, says Mr. Abeysinghe

However, he is yet to receive the clearance from the minister, Mr. Abesinghe added.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the minister in charge of Financial Affairs.

On the basis that they were yet to receive the court order, the Cabinet of Ministers on 18 December decided to take a decision at the next Cabinet meeting.

However, Lanka Indian Oil Company on 19 December told BBC Sandeshaya that it would reduce the price of fuel obeying the court order.

In a meeting held in the Presidential Secretariat on Monday, President Rajapaksa has said that the government needs revenue for development and the ongoing war against the LTTE.

However, he ahs stressed that the government respects the judiciary.