According to official sources, there is still enough fuel on the island to last for around two days, but the government is saving it for important services.
Digital Desk: As
representatives from the United States arrived for negotiations aimed at easing
the island's severe economic situation, Sri Lanka increased fuel prices on
Sunday, making things worse for common people.
Diesel, which is
frequently used in public transportation, has seen a price increase of 15% to
460 rupees ($1.27) a litre, while gasoline has seen a price increase of 22% to
550 rupees ($1.52).
After
Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera predicted an indefinite delay in receiving
new oil shipments, the news was made the next day.
Wijesekera claimed that
shipments of oil expected last week had not materialised and that shipments
expected the next week would similarly fail to reach Sri Lanka for
"banking" reasons.
Wijesekera apologised to
drivers and asked them not to stand in line for long periods of time outside
gas stations. Many people have left their cars in line in the hopes of topping
them off when supplies are replenished.
According to official
sources, there is still enough fuel on the island to last for around two days,
but the government is saving it for important services.
A delegation from the US
Treasury and State Department has arrived in Sri Lanka for talks to
"explore the most effective ways for the US to support Sri Lankans in
need," the US embassy in Colombo announced.
The US ambassador Julie
Chung said in a statement that "our efforts to foster economic growth and
enhance democratic institutions have never been more vital" as Sri Lankans
deal with some of their largest economic crises in history.
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