The government has announced tentative days for the arrival of fuel shipments and gas distribution.
Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera informed Parliament yesterday that an advanced payment of US$ 26 million will be made to secure a shipment of petrol between 13,14 and 15 July.
He said this is earlier than the scheduled shipment which is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka by July 22.
Stating that proposals were called from suppliers to bring down a petrol shipment between July 10 and 15, he said, however, only one supplier has offered bids but it was at a higher price.
“The Malaysian Oil Company ‘Petronas’, said they will supply petrol between July 10 and 15. But, they could not confirm the date. There is another supplier who has offered to supply petrol between July 13 and 15. But, we will have to pay higher prices for that. Unless we purchase this shipment, we will have to wait till July 23,” he said.
He further said that the President and the Prime Minister had given instructions to purchase the shipment of petrol offered at a higher price so that it will arrive earlier than 22 July, probably between July 13 and 15.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the primary gas supplier, Litro Gas Lanka will commence the distribution of domestic gas cylinders from the 11th of July.
He told Parliament yesterday that arrangements have been made to distribute Litro Gas in Colombo on July 11 and 12 in 140 locations.
The Prime Minister also said that the distribution of 112,000 LP Gas cylinders would resume islandwide from July 11 or 12.
He further said that a shipment of LP gas is due on July 9 and the distribution would commence on July 11.
“Arrangements have been made to distribute 140,000 gas cylinders of 12.5 kgs at 140 locations with 100 cylinders each on July 11 and 12 in Colombo. A total number of 25,000 cylinders would be distributed thereafter daily. Arrangements have also been made to distribute LP Gas for bakeries and small-scale enterprises in line with this programme,” he added. (NewsWire)
