Still fuel queues, some sheds are closed - Sri Lanka's fuel problem due to the Middle East war issue

Fearing a fuel shortage in the country due to the Middle East conflict, large crowds in many parts of the island waited in very long queues at filling stations yesterday (2) to obtain fuel. Very long vehicle queues were seen at filling stations throughout yesterday in areas like Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy, Galle, Matara, as well as many other rural areas of the island. Fuel station managers stated that more than two to three times the daily fuel distribution amount was released yesterday.

Meanwhile, many parts of the island experienced fuel unavailability throughout yesterday. Most filling stations were closed. Fuel stations had also taken steps not to issue fuel in gallons and bottles. Police security was deployed near fuel stations to control crowds.

However, D.J. Rajakaruna, Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, has stated that the fuel supply is currently returning to normal.

Making a statement on the current situation, it was announced that between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM today, 415,740 liters of diesel, 39,600 liters of Octane 95 petrol, and 481,800 liters of Octane 92 petrol have been released. 

The government strongly urges the public not to panic due to unnecessary fear, as there is no fuel shortage in the country, and emphasizes that strict legal action will be taken against individuals spreading false rumors to alarm the public. Health and Mass Media Minister, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, and Janaka Rajakaruna, Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, confirmed yesterday (2) at a special press conference held at the Government Information Department that the country has more than enough fuel reserves. However, a tragic incident has been reported where a person waiting in a fuel queue in the Kurunegala area suddenly fell ill and died due to the prevailing unnecessary panic.

Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa clarified that although the war situation in the Middle East region could directly impact Sri Lanka's economy, fuel-carrying vessels arrive in Sri Lanka via alternative supply routes, thus not hindering fuel supply. The government is actively working to ensure the safety of over a million Sri Lankans working in the Middle East, with embassies operating 24/7 for this purpose. Although there are practical difficulties in immediately repatriating them due to restricted flights, the government has taken steps to provide all necessary facilities through foreign missions. Furthermore, authorities point out that even if global fuel prices rise due to the war, it will take another month or two for its impact to be felt in Sri Lanka, according to the price formula implemented in the country.

Janaka Rajakaruna, Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, stated that plans are already in place to import crude oil from America and Nigeria if the war situation escalates further. The necessary infrastructure to refine this crude oil in the country is already prepared. However, given the current situation, the government urges the public to refrain from obtaining fuel in jerry cans and various containers. The chairman emphasized that steps would be taken to revoke the licenses of filling stations issuing fuel in such containers, and legal action would be enforced against individuals illegally hoarding fuel. Already, four individuals involved in such illegal activities have been arrested by the police.

The government clarifies that there is no need to reintroduce a QR system for fuel rationing, as was done in the past. The QR system, which has already received Cabinet approval, is intended solely for the convenience of paying fuel charges and providing kerosene subsidies.

A formal mechanism will be developed in the future through Divisional Secretariats for farmers engaged in agricultural activities to obtain necessary fuel in jerry cans. Daily fuel distribution activities have already been expanded, and considering yesterday alone, over three million liters of diesel and nearly three million liters of petrol have been released to the market. Queues at filling stations have formed not due to a fuel shortage, but because cunning racketeers and unnecessarily panicked individuals are attempting to hoard fuel.

Meanwhile, an unfortunate incident was reported from the Kurunegala area on the evening of day before yesterday (1), where a person waiting in a fuel queue, formed due to unnecessary panic, lost his life. The resident of Wellawa, Mulgahapitiya, 43-year-old Madduma Kankanamlage Asitha Ruwan Maddumage, who was in the queue to get fuel for his motorcycle at the Gonagama Cooperative Filling Station in Kurunegala, suddenly fell ill and collapsed. Although he was rushed to the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital by a 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance, doctors confirmed that he had already passed away. His body is currently at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, where a post-mortem and inquest into the sudden death are scheduled to be conducted. The Miscellaneous Complaints Investigation Unit of the Kurunegala Headquarters Police is conducting further investigations into this death.