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Sri Lanka, who lacks money, has suspended national fuel sales, except for important services, for almost two weeks when the island faced a deteriorating economic crisis.
In a press conference held on Monday night, the cabinet spokesman and Transportation Minister Bandula Gunawardana said private vehicles would be prohibited from buying fuel until July 10, after which the government promised to ensure the usual supply. The authorities stop the bus service between the provinces and urge residents to work from home in an effort to save fuel. Schools also remain closed.
Fuel will only be issued for the health, defense, power, and export sector from midnight today until July 10, “said Mr. Bandula Gunawardena told reporters.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) managed by the government will issue diesel and gasoline only for important services that apply since midnight, he said. These services include ports, airports, health, food distribution and agriculture.
When lack of fuel has increased over the past few weeks, Sri Lanka’s roads appear empty, with more vehicles that are seen parked in a long queue outside the gas station than on the streets. On Tuesday, the capital city of Kolombo was almost closed, even when the government rushed to send ministers to Russia and Qatar to find urgent supplies.
Sri Lanka High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda on Monday met with the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri in New Delhi to discuss the possibility of “securing the supply of gasoline and diesel needed by Sri Lanka at this time for the base of the description”, Sri Lanka’s mission In New Delhi said.
Minister Puri responded positively in this case and convinced the high commissioners all possible support for Sri Lanka at this critical intersection,” he said in a statement.
India has extended nearly $ 4 billion in assistance to Sri Lanka since January 2022, facilitating loan delays and through currency exchanges and credit pathways for important imports. Prime Minister Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe Baru -Newly told The Hindu in an interview that Colombo hoped to receive another credit path worth $ 500 million from India for fuel imports.
