{"id":18562,"date":"2026-05-02T14:15:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T14:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/?p=18562"},"modified":"2026-05-03T14:15:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T14:15:13","slug":"false-social-media-post-about-a-fuel-price-increase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/false-social-media-post-about-a-fuel-price-increase\/","title":{"rendered":"A false post circulating that fuel prices have increased again!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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In March, the government implemented three fuel price increases in response to rising crude oil prices in the global market, driven by the conflict in the Middle East. Against this backdrop, a social media post claimed that fuel prices had been revised again on 30.04.2026. The following is our fact-check examining the accuracy of this claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Media Posts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A social media post alleged that fuel prices had risen again following a revision on 30.04.2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Facebook<\/strong><\/a> |<\/strong>Archived Link<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We undertook an investigation to ascertain whether a further revision in fuel prices had, in fact, occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fact Check:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had a fuel price revision occurred on 30.04.2026, it would have been prominently reported in the mainstream media. Accordingly, we reviewed such sources and found no evidence of any such report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amid rising global fuel prices and supply constraints stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, the government implemented two additional price increases in March alongside the routine monthly revision. Accordingly, the most recent revision occurred at midnight on March 21, 2026. The revised fuel prices effective on that date are set out below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fuel Type<\/strong><\/td>Previous Price (Rs.)<\/strong><\/td>New Price (Rs.)<\/strong><\/td>Price Increase (Rs.)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Petrol 92 Octane<\/td>317.00<\/td>398.00<\/td>+81.00<\/td><\/tr>
Petrol 95 Octane<\/td>365.00<\/td>455.00<\/td>+90.00<\/td><\/tr>
Lanka White Diesel<\/td>303.00<\/td>382.00<\/td>+79.00<\/td><\/tr>
Lanka Super Diesel<\/td>353.00<\/td>443.00<\/td>+90.00<\/td><\/tr>
Lanka Kerosene<\/td>195.00<\/td>255.00<\/td>+60.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Note: These prices are effective from midnight, March 21, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official announcement issued by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation regarding the price revision is below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is no mention of a fuel price revision on 30.04.2026 on the official website of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be clearly seen when checking  the official website of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation<\/a> that the prices that were in effect from midnight on March 21, 2026 remain unchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The mainstream media had reported that the Petroleum Corporation had announced that there would be no revision in fuel prices today (01). It had also been stated that a decision regarding the revision in prices could be taken in the coming days. The media reports are available here<\/a>, can be seen here<\/a> and is poined here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A note created through artificial intelligence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A close look at the relevant post shared on social media clearly reveals the SynthID mark. The SynthID mark is a mark found in content created through artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Accordingly, we undertook an assessment to determine whether the post had been generated using artificial intelligence. This analysis confirmed that it had been edited using Google\u2019s artificial intelligence tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ministry of Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We sought clarification from the Media Secretary to the Minister of Energy regarding the social media claim that fuel prices had increased again. He stated that the post is false and that no such price revision has been implemented. He further noted that, while it is not possible to state with certainty whether a revision may occur in the coming days, no such adjustment has been made either yesterday or today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We correspondingly sought clarification from the Media Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Energy regarding the social media claim that fuel prices had increased again. He likewise confirmed that no price revision occurred on 30.04.2026, stating that the post is false and that no such increase was implemented either yesterday or today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us to learn more about our fact-finding efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Conclusion:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our investigation indicates that the social media posts claiming a fuel price increase on 30.04.2026 are false. The Ministry of Energy has confirmed that no such revision has occurred. The most recent fuel price adjustment took place at midnight on 21.03.2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n