Fuel Crisis: President orders to streamline distribution; Army & STF to provide security to filling stations

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed to streamline the distribution of fuel stocks that are available in the country, as well as the shipment due to arrive in the next few days.

The President noted that the Finance Minister and the Central Bank with the involvement of State & Private Banks have drafted plans to open Letters of Credit (LCs) to facilitate the process of placing orders for fuel shipments.

The President had made these comments during a meeting on Friday (17) on the distribution of Petrol, Diesel, and LP Gas.

At the meeting attention was drawn towards inking agreements with suppliers for long-term fuel purchasing.

The President's Media Unit said that Public Transport will be given priority in fuel distribution.

The President has said that SLTB owned filling stations should be used to deliver fuel for Private Buses, Tourist Coaches, and School Vans.

The President also ordered for identified filling stations to deliver fuel for essential services, and the Sri Lanka Army and Police Special Task Force to provide security to filling stations.

Security forces were ordered by the President to strictly enforce the law against fuel hoarders.

The meeting also discussed to streamline the distribution of gas, and place new orders for LP Gas.