COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is struggling to safe recent provides of gas, the power minister mentioned on Sunday, with the crisis-hit nation quick working out of petrol and diesel to maintain important companies working.
For months, the island nation of twenty-two million individuals has lacked the overseas forex to pay for important imports, together with gas, meals and medication. Amid the persistent shortages, Sri Lankans have fashioned lengthy queues outdoors pumping stations, with some ready in line for days.
Sri Lanka’s Energy and Power Minister, Kanchana Wijesekera, mentioned that the nation is now down to only 15,000 tons of petrol and diesel, whereas 70 p.c of gas stations have closed as a result of delays in anticipated shipments.
“We’re struggling to seek out suppliers. They’re reluctant to simply accept letters of credit score from our banks. There are over $700 million in overdue funds, so now suppliers need advance funds,” he advised reporters.
“The remaining inventory will probably be completed quickly.”
Prior to now two months, Sri Lanka has obtained its gas provide by way of a $500 million credit score line from India that ran out in mid-June. A petroleum cargo due final Thursday didn’t arrive and officers are unable to verify the subsequent supply, Wijesekera mentioned.
The navy will start issuing tokens to individuals queuing for gas on Monday.
In the meantime, the federal government will ship ministers to Russia to debate gas imports and has advised 1 million public staff to work at home till additional discover.
Sri Lanka additionally elevated gas costs within the early hours of Sunday, with the value hike anticipated to additional push inflation, already working at 40 p.c.
The gas disaster can be affecting medical companies within the nation, as each sufferers and healthcare staff wrestle to succeed in hospitals because of the shortages.
“Employees attendance immediately was remarkably low,” Omar Sheriff, CEO of Colombo’s largest kidney facility, advised Arab Information. “And outpatients have dropped from 300 to 40.”
Pathmanathan, who drives a three-wheel taxi in Colombo, mentioned that he waited in line for 12 hours from Saturday afternoon, solely to be turned again as he nearly reached the gas station.
“I misplaced my each day wage ready for gas within the queue on Saturday,” he advised Arab Information.
“At the moment, Sunday, I used to be knowledgeable that the oil value had risen once more. I simply can’t perceive how we are able to cost a lot cash in fares to our clients,” Pathmanathan mentioned. “It’s very unhappy.”
