The government carried out a snap increase in fuel prices last night upping petrol by Rs. 12, diesel by Rs. 31 and kerosene by Rs. 35 a litre. It was the biggest jump in diesel and kerosene prices. Until yesterday, the price of a litre of petrol was Rs 137, diesel Rs 84 and kerosene was Rs 76. The increase of diesel and kerosene prices amounted to a massive 36.9 per cent and 49.3 per cent respectively.

The national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, plans to sell or lease its slots at Heathrow airport in Britain under an extensive review programme as it acknowledged incurring a huge loss for the current financial year.