Public urged to forgo non-essential travel

By Ifham Nizam

Although a Letter of Credit (LCs) for USD 90 million had been opened for a shipment of petrol and diesel, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday urged public, particularly vehicle owners, not to create a high demand for petrol.

The next petrol consignment will arrive here on 23 June, while the diesel shipment is scheduled to arrive the following day. The Minister told journalists that fuel would be issued on a priority basis for essential workers, especially to medical officers and others who were engaged in essential services and those whose livelihoods depended on fuel such as three-wheel drivers.

The Minster said that there were enough diesel stocks in the country, but requested the public to use it sparingly. He urged the public not to queue up for fuel in the next three to four days until the fuel shipments arrived.

The Minister also requested private bus operators to obtain fuel from the nearest Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) depots.

He urged the private bus operators not wait at other filling stations.

He added that school, staff and tourist transport vehicles could also obtain fuel from the nearest SLTB depots.

The Minister said that steps would be taken to issue fuel for essential services from selected filling stations on Fridays, starting next week.

He requested the private sector to encourage employees to work from home due to the prevailing crisis situation.