(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) –Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera states that a quota system for fuel will have to be introduced until the country’s economic situation improves and it is expected to do so from the beginning of July.
The Minister said that it is hoped to register vehicle owners at petrol stations and supply them with the required fuel on a weekly basis.
“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, restore 24 Hour Power and a steady Supply of fuel. I hope to have this system in place by the 1st week of July,” the Minister said on Twitter.
Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that the supply of fuel should be managed until there is a 24 hour uninterrupted supply of electricity and fuel.
“Until we have uninterrupted power supply and steady fuel supply, fuel line management will be impossible,” he said.
The Minister pointed out that with the financial restrictions the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation imports fuel to manage for a week but some consumers stockpile fuel for a month or more for their machinery and generators.
The Power and Energy Minister pointed out that 24 hour power supply costs an additional USD 100 million monthly for Diesel, Furnace Oil and Naptha. Shortage in Gas supply has increased the demand for Electricity and Kerosene. Monthly Fuel bill that was USD 200 million 4 months ago is at USD 550 million currently, he said.
