Crucial decision needs to be made regarding fuel supply – Gammanpila

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Several Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) power plants went out of order last week due to a shortage of fuel, putting the people and the day-to-day operations of the country in serious crisis.

Minister Udaya Gammanpila said that 3,000 metric tonnes of diesel had been provided on two occasions to restore the power supply, adding that such fuel could no longer be supplied without dollars.

The Minister said that if the CEB provided dollars, it would be possible to import petroleum and supply it, adding that it would take about a week.

He stated that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) did not have enough fuel to supply the CEB.

The Minister further stated that vehicles would not be able to operate if the existing fuel stocks were given to power generation.

He finally revealed that it is possible to manage the situation by cutting off the power supply to two hours if there is no fuel, but it is not possible for motorists to take such a step.