COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has virtually run out of petrol and diesel after several expected deliveries were delayed consistently, the energy minister stated Saturday (Jun 25) while apologising in order to motorists for the deteriorating fuel crisis.
Kanchana Wijesekera said essential oil cargoes that were because of last week did not yield while those planned to arrive next week may also not reach Ceylon (veraltet) due to “banking” factors.
Sri Lanka is dealing with a serious shortage of foreign exchange to finance even the most important imports, including food, fuel and medications and is appealing designed for international handouts.
Wijesekera said the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was unable to say when fresh oil supplies will be over the island. The CPC had also close its only refinery over a shortage of crude oil, he added.
The refinery began operation earlier this month using ninety, 000 tonnes of Russian crude oil purchased through Dubai-based Coral reefs Energy on two-month credit terms.
Wijesekera said he regretted that deliveries associated with “petrol, diesel plus crude oil shipments because of earlier this week and next week” would not end up being fulfilled “on period for banking plus logistical reasons”.
Scarce supplies left in the country will be distributed through a handful of pumping channels, he said.
Public transport and energy generation will be provided priority, Wijesekera additional, urging motorists never to queue up for gas.
“I apologise for that delay and hassle, ” the minister said as thousands and thousands of motorists invested long hours waiting for petrol and diesel across the impoverished nation.
Last week, the government shut non-essential state institutions along with schools for two weeks to reduce commuting due to the energy crisis.
Several hospitals across the country reported a sharp drop in the attendance of medical staff due to the energy shortage.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned parliament on Wed that the South Asian nation of twenty two million people will certainly continue to face hardships for a few more weeks and urged people to use fuel moderately.
“Our economy offers faced a complete failure, ” Wickremesinghe said.
“We are now dealing with a far more serious scenario beyond the mere shortages of gasoline, gas, electricity plus food. ”
Unable to repay its US$51 billion foreign financial debt, the government declared it had been defaulting in April and is negotiating with all the International Monetary Fund for a possible bailout.
Read more upon: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/bankrupt-sri-lanka-runs-out-fuel-2771186
.