Government Details Fuel Stock Levels and Incoming Shipments

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka currently has sufficient diesel and petrol stocks to meet demand until mid-May, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said, outlining details of existing reserves and confirmed fuel shipments.

Minister Jayatissa said the country presently has close to 134,000 metric tons of diesel when existing stocks are combined with confirmed incoming shipments. He said an additional 124,000 metric tons of diesel are scheduled to arrive in April, ensuring availability until around the second week of May.

He added that petrol stocks currently stand at 151,656 metric tons, including existing reserves and fuel on order. A further 55,300 metric tons of petrol are expected to arrive in April, which is expected to ensure the availability of 92-octane petrol until the third week of May.

The minister said a fuel tender was opened on March 17, under which shipments of diesel and petrol for certain days in April were secured, along with crude oil deliveries scheduled for June.

Another tender is due to be opened today, although he said he did not have details regarding that tender at the time of speaking.

He also noted that several shipments from the private sector had been cancelled, and that crude oil supply challenges arose due to the cancellation of one crude oil shipment and concerns over a crude oil cargo scheduled to arrive in April. These factors prompted the opening of the latest tender.

Minister Jayatissa further said a committee has been appointed to determine whether emergency fuel purchases may be required in the future, depending on evolving conditions.