Colombo: Crisis-hit Sri Lanka announced weekly fuel quotas for motorists, as an acute shortage worsened and longer queues formed outside the few pumping stations still operating. Energy minister Kanchana Wijesekera said the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was struggling to finance oil imports, while consumption had shot up due to shortages of electricity and liquefied petroleum gas.
“We have no choice but to register consumers at filling stations and give them a guaranteed weekly quota until we are able to strengthen the financial situation,” the minister said. “I hope to have this system in place by the first week of July. ”
He did not say how much fuel motorists will be allowed to buy under the system. In mid-April, the government ordered all fuel stations not to pump more than four litres of petrol for a motorcycle, five for a three-wheeler and 19. 5 litres of gasoline or diesel for cars and SUVs.
Two weeks ago, Sri Lanka received a shipment of Russian crude oil to be refined on the island.
Sri Lanka may be compelled to buy more oil from Russia, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said. He said he would first look to other sources, but would be open to buying more crude from Moscow.
Gotabaya seeks support from India, China
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, meanwhile, sought all possible assistance from India, China and the countries in the West Asia when he met the high commissioners and ambassadors amid the unprecedented economic crisis faced by the island nation.
“I requested their assistance in resolving the existing crisis, while briefing them on the current economic, social and political situation,” President Rajapaksa tweeted. The president appreciated the assistance already provided by these countries to Sri Lanka, which has been grappling with unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has created political unrest with protesters demanding President Rajapaksa’s resignation.
In keeping with India's ‘Neighbourhood First' policy, New Delhi has extended this year alone support worth over $3.5 billion to Sri Lanka to help them overcome the current difficulties. India has rushed assistance in the form of line credit and other modes to help Sri Lanka which has virtually declared insolvency and defaulted on all foreign loans, including that of China totalling $51 billion.
