COLOMBO, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Minister of Energy Gamini Lokuge on Friday told media that all gas stations have been directed to reserve fuel for vehicles engaged in essential services.
The minister said that there have been complaints that vehicles engaged in essential services such as medical services and fuel transports were stranded near gas stations due to fuel shortage, which has an adverse effect on all aspects of society.
Lokuge urged the people involved in essential services to contact gas stations prior to sending in vehicles.
He said that while Sri Lanka has adequate stocks of petrol, most vehicles engaged in essential services run on diesel.
According to the minister, 20,000 metric tons of diesel was being unloaded from a ship that arrived from Singapore and another 30,000 metric tons of diesel will arrive in Sri Lanka next Monday. ■