Several unexpected fuel shipment delay has indefinitely put Sri Lanka into a virtually run out of petrol and diesel, the energy minister said Saturday (Jun 25) while apologizing to motorists for the worsening fuel crisis.
Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said oil cargoes that were due last week did not turn up while those scheduled to arrive next week will also not reach Sri Lanka due to “banking” reasons.
Sri Lanka is appealing for international handouts in a bid to overcome this serious crisis situation. Country has been facing a serious shortage of foreign exchange to finance even the most essential imports, including food, fuel and medicines.
Wijesekera said the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was unable to say when fresh oil supplies will be on the island. The CPC had also shut its only refinery over a shortage of crude oil, he added.
Latest report indicate energy minister along with minister Nazeer Ahamed had left to Quartar this morning in a bid for ‘oil’ relief talks. Present crisis has placed Sri Lanka as a bankrupt state.
