Fuel cost

Friday, 11 October 2013 04:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

At present our main problem is fuel cost, which is increasing steadily. This is mainly due to increase in imported cost and usage. Imported cost depends on foreign price (CIF), exchange rates and connected duties. Oil exporting countries may increase the prices if war breaks out in the Middle Eastern countries. Therefore, all other countries should take sincere efforts to maintain peace in the

Middle Eastern countries. Problems in Iran, Iraq, Syria, etc. should be settled early. In addition we must bear in mind that according to experts’ advice, there will be no fuel available after 200 years. We must try for substitutes early at low cost. In the meantime we have the following in our mind: 1.Reduction in usage of electricity which many experts are trying to achieve. 2.Reduction in usage of cars. This could be done by adopting: Number of cars for travelling be reduced. There are families under the same roof using two or more cars. Bank loans for importing or buying cars be reduced. Issuing permits to import duty free cars for government employees be stopped. Public transport facilities be improved at reasonable

cost. Even officers should be encouraged to travel by public transport if it is satisfactory. Cars entering the city should have at least four people. This recommendation has been proved to be successful in Singapore. I am aware that there are several drawbacks, but we must sacrifice for the benefit of the country. At least in the morning and evening, travelling to offices could be monitored.Encourage bicycle travelling. At present it is difficult as separate cycling lanes not available. In some Western countries there are separate roads available for cyclists. We could allocate this in the morning or evening taking a section of the roads. At least in the urban and rural areas these proposals could be considered. I am aware that these are not simple tasks. I remind what Napolean Bonaparte once said: “The word impossible is not in my dictionary.” This is applicable to Sri Lankans also S.R. Balachandran BSc.FCA,FCMA (Sri Lanka) Colombo 6