(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The report detailing the cause of the week-long fuel shortage, prepared by the Cabinet Sub-committee appointed on the request of Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, will be submitted to President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday (14).
The Cabinet Sub-committee is investigating whether there was a delay in ordering the fuel consignment, the reasons for the sudden malfunction of the oil refinery and matters such as the arrival of low quality fuel and if the previous fuel stocks were maintained to proper standards.
The committee which was appointed by the President comprises Megalopolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Special Assignments Minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama and Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.
It is widely believed that the reason for the fuel shortage was the delay in the chemical vessel which was expected to arrive on November 2. The vessel arrived many days later on November 8. Panic buying on the part of consumers who feared an all-out shortage is also cited as another reason for the islandwide fuel shortage.
