Sufficient Stock of Fuel Available, No Need to Panic – Petroleum Min.Secy

The CPC rejected the LIOC oil shipment on Tuesday (31) last week as it failed to meet the required standard. Another shipment ordered by the CPC, due to arrive on 2 November, did not come in time. Adding fuel to fire, a breakdown in the refinery,crippling local production for three days, led to a limitation in fuel supply prompting the CPC to ration the stocks issued. The daily fuel consumption in the country ranges from 1,800 MT-2,000 MT, while the CPC issues 2,500 MT of stocks.

“Despite above situation authorities assured that there were enough fuel stocks to meet demand until the next shipment arrived. The problem is rumour mongers sent consumers into a panic buying frenzy, with them forming long queues at filling stations. We had enough stocks till 8 November. The situation is under control,” explained Petroleum Resources Ministry Secretary Upali Marasinghe.

However, he Petroleum Resources Ministry is to hold a crisis meeting today to address the fuel shortage as panic buying of fuel continued for the second day yesterday with the Ceylon Petroleum Cooperation struggling to meet demand.