Minister of Energy Gamini Lokuge says a diesel shipment that arrived in Sri Lanka will be offloaded after the due sum is paid today.
Speaking in Parliament during a special debate on the power and fuel crisis yesterday, Minister Lokuge said queues for fuel have significantly reduced.
The Minister said the government is in the process of ensuring a steady supply of fuel to the country, with 33,000MT of diesel due to be offloaded today.
Minister Lokuge added as the government had to pay money directly, in December, January, February, and March for shipments, many issues arose in generating necessary foreign reserves.
He also claimed that oil prices in the world market is increasing daily, with the Ukraine and Russia conflict also worsening.
The Energy Minister said a barrel of crude oil is USD 130 at present.
However, he noted that regardless of the issues the government is facing, a long-term plan will be implemented to ensure fuel supplies arrive in due course in order to meet the 7,000MT daily requirement in the country.
Meanwhile Parliamentarian Chaminda Wijesiri joining the debate said statements by Ministers never become a reality.
The MP said the government several weeks ago claimed that gas related concerns will not arise and that sufficient stocks will be available while claiming a programme has been created to ensure such a situation does not arise again.
However, MP Wijesiri said queues have formed once again to purchase gas.
The Parliamentarian said the public has no faith in the government or in their programmes as practically it is not being enforced.
The MP also highlighted that tourists will not visit Sri Lanka to be in darkness, adding that the public has a notion that they will not be able to reach their destination owing to the fuel shortage.
State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna revealed that the Litro Gas Company has compensated several households that were affected by the recent gas leak explosions.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday State Minister Alagiyawanna said Litro Gas informed that all identified households will be compensated promptly.
The State Minister said the public faced great difficulties owing to the gas leak explosions.
