Fuel queues continue

Our provincial correspondents noted that long queues continue to extend at fuel stations in several areas of the island.

Certain fuel stations have also been closed down.

However, minister of Petroleum Resources Development, Arjuna Ranatunga, has requested the public to use petrol sparingly.

Issuing a communiqué he noted that that a shipment of fuel imported by Lanka IOC proved to be of substandard quality and was therefore not unloaded.

As a result of this move, supply of petrol to fuel stations has been hindered.

However the minister noted, 80% of the requirement could be supplied and the supply of diesel and kerosene continues without interruption.

Meanwhile, the ministry of Petroleum Resources Development noted that a shipment of fuel is to arrive on Tuesday.

The ministry had informed owners of fuel stations to distribute fuel without any hindrance.

Further, the Petroleum Ministry's National Employees' Union's president Ananda Palitha noted that there is no fuel crisis in the country.

However, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Sri Lanka Freedom Workers' Union President Bandula Saman Kumara expressed opposing views.