• As US delegation approaches, Sri Lanka raises fuel prices

    International
    As US delegation approaches, Sri Lanka raises fuel prices

    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.



    mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-themecolor:text1"> 



    mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-themecolor:text1">