The south Asian island nation of Sri Lanka has said that it is about to completely run out of fuel amid one of the worst crises in the nation’s modern history.
Kanchana Wijesekera, Sri Lanka’s power and energy minister, has said that only 4,000 tonnes of the country’s petrol reserves remain, enough for about one day of normal usage.
The next shipment of petrol is not due until the 22nd of July and already queues miles wrong are around petrol stations as citizens aim to stock up on the last available supplies. At present all sales are being heavily rationed.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said:
“It [fuel shortage] is a big setback to the economy and has caused lot of hardship to people. When we came in, the shortage of dollars actually contributed to this situation. We have been taking steps since then especially to get gas which will be available in the next few days, diesel and furnace oil as well. The issue has been petrol … and that will take a bit of time. We are hoping to get shipment of petrol by July 22 but I have asked the [concerned] minister to try to get the shipment earlier.”
The energy minister has said one of the main reasons for the shortage is lack of dollars, in which all petrol around the world is sold. The government has encouraged Sri Lankans living abroad to send their dollars and other currencies back to Sri Lankan banks in order to have foreign currency reserves with which the country can buy oil on the international markets.
The fuel shortage has led to economic collapse and resulted in fierce anti-government protests, which claim that the root of the problem lies in economic mismanagement and in corruption at the very top.
Some protestors have blocked roads, set fire to tires and vehicles, and clashed with security forces and police. The entrance to the president’s office has been occupied by protestors for over a month. These protestors have been calling on the president’s immediate resignation and support for those in need.
[Based on reporting by: Al Jazeera]
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