Black market for fuel growing amid supply crisis in Sri Lanka

Despite the rationing program, long queues stay outside petrol stations.

“Sometimes, there is no fuel in the shed. So , we need to wait in the line until it comes. It may take a day, two days or three days. During that time, we have to stay inside the car, eat our food presently there and wait, ” said tourist van driver Frank Joseph Alvis.

“It’s very hot. You can’t turn on the air conditioner because there is no fuel. ”

When the queue moves forward, Alvis will push his van instead of switching on the engine to save as much fuel as it can be.

Like a lot of drivers in Sri Lanka, he cannot pay the expensive fuel deeply in love with the black market and has to wait in-line every week.

“This is the worst crisis. Even during the Civil War, we didn’t have this fuel issue, ” he stated, referring to the spotty insurgency against the government from 1983 in order to 2009.

On Monday (Aug 1), the QR code system was applied at all fuel channels nationwide. Operators were encouraged to make sure that every vehicle’s number plate matches what is on its National Fuel Pass.

“Fuel distribution will be prioritised for fuel channels that have adopted the QR system. The device will be monitored to check on the number of users of QR (codes) from your stocks distributed in order to fuel stations, inch the Ministry associated with Power and Power said in a declaration last Saturday.

According to some motorists, the QR program code system strictly limits fuel allocation plus makes it harder to stock it with regard to illegal sales. Nevertheless, there might be ways to circumvent the policy.  

“I obtain a tankful of gas by giving some extra cash to a worker on the station, ” Akshant claimed.

This individual added: “Some coach drivers also the actual same business with diesel. They buy it, unload this and sell it for the higher price. ”