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Lokuge blames large public appetite for fuel crisis

30 Mar 2022

 
  • Says 1,000-2,000 MT of additional fuel distributed to stations these days
  • Claims 20,500 MT of petrol available and sufficient for 4-5 days
  BY Buddhika Samaraweera Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge stated that while 8,000 to 9,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fuel is being distributed to fuel stations daily at present, which is 1,000 to 2,000 MT more than the average daily fuel stocks released to fuel stations prior to the shortages, the fuel runs out at stations due to people purchasing fuel in large quantities. Speaking to the media yesterday (29), he said: “In the past, an average of about 7,000 MT of fuel was distributed to fuel stations, but now 8,000 to 9,000 MT of fuel are being released. However, that amount is not enough as people buy fuel in large quantities. People are carrying fuel in cans and stockpiling fuel these days. We have not imposed restrictions on fuel sales.” At this point, a journalist pointed out to Lokuge that certain fuel stations were selling kerosene for a maximum of Rs. 500, and Lokuge, in response, said that such restrictions may have been imposed by fuel station owners and not by the Government. He further said that a fuel bowser which is usually sent to a fuel station was enough for two or three days in the past, but that these days, a fuel bowser is only enough for a few hours. Responding to a question on the stock of fuel distributed to fuel stations, he added that one bowser of diesel, petrol, and kerosene each were sent to every fuel station last week. Meanwhile, when questioned about the amount of fuel available in the country, Lokuge said: “Currently, there are about 20,500 MT of petrol in the country. That amount is enough for four or five days.” Commenting during the same press conference, Industries Minister S.B. Dissanayake said that stocks of fuel will continue to be received and that there will be no shortage of fuel. The country has been hit by a fuel crisis for the past few months with the economy being hit hard due to the serious deficit of US dollar (USD) reserves needed for imports. Over the last few months, many arrivals of stocks of fuel have been delayed due to the said USD shortage. As a result, the country is facing a shortage of fuel, particularly diesel, these days, and people are seen waiting in long queues near fuel stations. Meanwhile, the Energy Ministry recently said that if people stop buying large quantities of fuel, including diesel, due to undue fear, the fuel stocks could be managed without creating a shortage. Energy Ministry Secretary K.D.R. Olga said: “There is no huge shortage of fuel, particularly of diesel, at the moment, but the problem now is that the people are buying and keeping large quantities of fuel due to undue fear. This has caused several fuel stations to run out of stocks.” She also said that a fuel bowser that used to be enough for about two days at a fuel station is now only enough for about two hours. Further claiming that the fuel consumption pattern of the people has changed drastically in the last few months, Olga added that if the previous consumption pattern could be re-adopted, fuel stocks could be managed without a shortage.


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