• According to a Sri Lankan Minister, the country only have enough fuel for a day.

    International
    According to a Sri Lankan Minister, the country only have enough fuel for a day.

    Digital Desk: According to the energy minister, Sri Lanka has
    less than a day's worth of fuel left, and when the country's economic crisis
    worsened, public transportation came to a complete stop.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">Despite the fact
    that most pumping stations have been without fuel for days, there were
    miles-long lines for gasoline and diesel across the capital.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">Petrol reserves in
    the nation, according to Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, are roughly 4,000
    tonnes, or about one day's worth of use.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">In Colombo,
    Wijesekera informed reporters, "The next petrol shipment is due between
    the 22nd and 23rd (of July)".



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">Other suppliers
    have been approached, but we are unable to confirm any fresh supplies before
    the 22nd.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">In order to save
    gasoline and diesel for emergencies, cash-strapped Sri Lanka this week ordered
    a two-week suspension of all fuel sales, with the exception of critical
    services.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">The majority of
    stores remained closed on Sunday, and it is anticipated that things will get
    worse once banks and offices reopen on Monday.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">The few automobiles
    on the road were flagged down by desperate persons looking for a ride.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">Privately owned
    buses, which make up two-thirds of the fleet in the nation, reported operating
    a little service on Sunday due to the severe impact of the fuel scarcity.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">Out of the 20,000
    buses held by our members, we ran roughly 1,000 across the nation, according to
    the chairman of the Private Bus Operators Association, Gemunu Wijeratne.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">"We have no
    way to buy diesel, therefore the situation will undoubtedly get worse
    tomorrow."



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">He predicted that
    services will be significantly reduced on Monday and claimed there was no quick
    fix.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">Three-wheel taxis,
    a common last-mile mode of transportation, were also taken off the roads, with
    the majority being observed in days-long lines to obtain a ration of six litres
    of gasoline.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">The country is
    currently experiencing its worst economic crisis, with its 22 million residents
    dealing with extreme challenges on a daily basis due to a lack of foreign
    currency to pay for even the most basic goods.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">Additionally, the
    nation has seen prolonged power outages and record-high inflation since late
    last year.



    "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2E2E2E">To cut down on
    commuting and save energy, all non-essential government offices and schools
    have been ordered closed until July 10.



    Soldiers fired last week to disperse a mob protesting the
    military skipping the line.



     



    After falling behind on its $51 billion external debt in
    April, Sri Lanka is currently in negotiations with the International Monetary
    Fund for a potential rescue.