“Waiting for kerosene for 10 days” struggle of Maskeliya residents

June 24, 2022 at 3:45 PM

Residents of Maskeliya claim they have been in queues for 07 days for petrol and over 10 days for kerosene as there is only one fuel station for several areas.

They said there is only one fuel station for Norwood which is 10km away, Nallathanni which is 19kms away, Upcot which is 10km away, along with furthermore estates. 

Stating that they have been in queues inside vehicles for several days, the residents said some haven’t visited their homes for over a week.

They pointed out that it takes a day’s journey to go home and return to the fuel station and that it takes too much fuel and costs a lot to travel by bus, adding that therefore, they remain in the fuel queues for days.

The residents also revealed that they require kerosene as they use wood stoves and the lack of fuel bowsers has reduced their survival to tea and one meal a day.

The residents also raised allegations that a fuel bowser with kerosene that had arrived in the area had requested them to show proof of having paid their electricity bills to provide fuel. 

They said the residents had to travel home in this plight to bring proof of bill payments to obtain their quota of kerosene. 

The residents of Maskeliya further revealed that they cannot report to work due to fear of their vehicles being damaged or stolen when left in fuel queues.

They state that their already difficult livelihoods have become even more difficult due to the current fuel crisis, largely affecting their kids and families. (NewsWire)