Long queues of vehicle users lining up outside petrol sheds has become a frequent sight in capital Colombo and in several other parts of the country.
Acrippling fuel shortage and consequent power cuts across Sri Lanka are threatening to worsen the island nation’s persisting economic crisis, while sparking protests from citizens..
Already in the midst of a severe dollar crunch — with its foreign reserves drying up — Sri Lanka has been further hit by the oil price surge to $100 a barrel in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Behavinglike blind hiker in wilderness who cannot see what’s happening in the country , Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe says that that there will be no fuel scarcity in the country as adequate fuel was received and countrywide distribution has already begun,
He said the reason for the sudden fuel shortage was the consumers refueling more than the normal limits and stocking fuel in cans and barrels.
However, the government took measures to import sufficient volumes of fuel and began distributing throughout the country, he said. Ships containing fuel have arrived in the country and unloading is in progress now, Wijesinghe said.
Therefore, the CPC chairman requested the consumers not to panic and avoid standing in queues to get fuel. “Ships containing sufficient diesel, petrol, furnace oil, jet fuel and kerosene have reached the country.
Two shiploads of diesel are currently being unloaded, and another two are due on Monday and Tuesday, “the chairman said.
“Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves total just over $ 2 billion since the beginning of this year.
The government must repay foreign debt of $7 billion this year, including a $1 billion repayment due in July.
I n its response to the pandemic, the Rajapaksa government imposed broad import restrictions to save dollars, resulting in frequent shortage of essentials such as milk powder, pulses, spices that were sourced from other countries.
Sri Lanka roughly spends $500 million a month to source diesel and gasoline. Early in February, India and Sri Lanka signed an agreement for a $ 500 million from India to help the island nation with fuel imports.
On February 15, Sri Lanka received a 40,000 MT fuel consignment from the Indian Oil Corporation. Late February, the government struggled to pay $ 35 million for another 40,000-tonne shipment of diesel.
Still scrambling for dollars to import adequate fuel, Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced seven-and-a-half-hour daily power cuts across the country, said to be the longest duration of power cuts in over 25 years.
Apart from impairing activity in homes, the prolonged power cuts have put shops, malls, and restaurants under enormous pressure, especially when authorities are desperately trying to revive tourism.
There will be no fuel scarcity in the country as adequate fuel was received and countrywide distribution has already begun, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman W.W.D. Sumith Wijesinghe said.
He said the reason for the sudden fuel shortage was the consumers refueling more than the normal limits and stocking fuel in cans and barrels.
However, the government took measures to import sufficient volumes of fuel and began distributing throughout the country, he said. Ships containing fuel have arrived in the country and unloading is in progress now, Wijesinghe said.
Therefore, the CPC chairman requested the consumers not to panic and avoid standing in queues to get fuel. “Ships containing sufficient diesel, petrol, furnace oil, jet fuel and kerosene have reached the country.
Two shiploads of diesel are currently being unloaded, and another two are due on Monday and Tuesday, “the chairman said
