Token system for fuel delivery from Monday (27)

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has decided to implement a token system dedicated for filling stations to supply fuel for motorists waiting in line to obtain Petrol & Diesel.

Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said the program will come into effect from Monday (27) and the assistance of Sri Lanka Police and Sri Lanka Army, Navy, and Air Force will be obtained to ensure the process is carried out smoothly.

The Minister said the token will be awarded dedicated to filling stations, and it cannot be tampered with.

Updating the press on the latest developments on delayed fuel shipments, the Minister said that four separate groups from the Ministry are working on Petrol, Diesel, Crude / Furnace Oil, and Jet Fuel imports.

He said the teams are working on 130 plus proposals for fuel delivery to Sri Lanka.

The Minister said the next 12 months will be a challenging period of Sri Lanka in terms of fuel delivery, adding that it may or may be not possible to completely eliminate the fuel queues.

" USD 500 Million is something that Sri Lanka cannot bear at the moment. Therefore, consumption will have to be slashed to at least USD 350 Million and a system that will prioritize public transport will be introduced," he said.

Two ministers will fly to Russia on Monday (27) for discussion on fuel imports and related matters, said Minister Kanchana Wijesekera during the media briefing.

The Minister said that bunker suppliers have been granted permission to deliver fuel for industries that deal in US currency established in Sri Lanka.

The Minister said that overseas fuel companies based in countries that produce fuel will be invited to set up business in Sri Lanka, and CPC filling stations will be provided as the CPC alone cannot undertake the burden of importing fuel to Sri Lanka.

He said the CPC will become a more service-provider based institution, to facilitate fuel imports.