Locals in Mannar queue for fuel
A 6,000 MT gas delivery arrived from the Middle East but was turned away after Sri Lankan officials failed to provide adequate proof of funding for the US $4.5 million shipment.
Laugfs Gas Chairman W. K. H. Wegapitiya stated that the 6,000 MT gas tanker "would be sufficient for gas distribution for the remainder of the year."
However, upon arrival, the required letter of credit for US $4.9 million by a state bank was not provided, and the Laugfs gas shipment returned.
On Thursday, the Litro Gas distributor in the Puttalam area had informed residents that they had run out of gas stock. This angered residents, and a heated situation broke out. Sri Lankan police intervened and dispersed the crowds with firm promises the residents would have gas from the Laugfs shipment by Friday, 1 April.
.jpg)
Locals queue for fuel in Vavuniya
Queues for fuel and gas have stretched for hours in various parts of the island, with at least two deaths reported whilst waiting in line.
Sri Lanka is currently in the midst of its worst economic crisis. Fuel and gas shortages have led to unrest and protests against the government. After being forced to endure 13-hour power outages, protestors took to the streets of Colombo, expressing their anger over the government's "mishandling" of the economy. However, the Sri Lankan military and Special Task Force were quickly deployed to quash the protests.
Read more here: Curfew in Sri Lanka as anti-government protests rock capital Colombo
Read more from Newfirst.lk here.
