Adding public ire to fuel
Tourist vehicle drivers go from shed to shed on motorbikes in search of fuel Bus operators warn public transport will be crippled, if situation worsens
The fuel crisis is causing a ripple effect on all sectors while frustrated angry motorists joined long queues at filling stations.
Disappointed drivers were turned away at state-owned Ceypetco (CPC) fuel stations which had ‘no fuel’ signs displayed. Some sheds sold only one type of fuel -- either petrol or diesel and some sheds remained closed.
The Private Bus Owners’ Association said more than 50 percent of private passenger bus service had come to a halt due to unavailability of diesel.
“If the situation worsens, there will be no private buses on the road and the public will be inconvenienced,” warned its president Gemunu Wijeratne.
National Tourist Drivers Association’s president Donald Rajapaksa said vehicles carrying tourists were seen in vehicle queues for fuel.
“It’s impossible to travel 13001500km’s with a full tank. The situation in outstations is worse, with many petrol sheds being closed or allocations only for essential vehicles. Tourism industry is all about travel and this shortage comes at a time when tourism is just picking up,” he lamented.
Airport Tourist Drivers Association’s President Sumedha Wickremanayake said their drivers were going from shed to shed on motorbikes to collect fuel in cans before taking tourists on long distance travels.
Three-wheeler Association’s President Lalith Dharmasekare said most drivers patronised CPC sheds because the fuel is cheaper than in LIOC sheds.
“Many CPC sheds did not have Octane 92 and drivers ended up purchasing high octane petrol at Rs. 193 a litre. If the CPC is gaining profit from petrol rather than diesel why does the Government fail to prioritise releasing petrol," he asked.
Both state owned Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and Sri Lanka Railways said they had enough stocks in depots and faced no immediate shortage.
Parents will have to expect an increase in school van/bus fees if the fuel shortage continues next week, said All Island School Children Transportation Association President Mal Sri de Silva.
Farmers, traders of fresh produce and the fishing community were among those who were hit by the shortage. At Dambulla sheds, joining the fuel queue were both the farmers transporting fresh vegetables to the economic centre and traders who bought them.
“Shortage of diesel for tractors and for transporting our produce is a major concern for us,” said a farmer who was waiting at a fuel queue.
National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) Convenor Herman Kumara said fish exports would have an impact if the shortage continued.
“Small boats operate with kerosene and gasoline but a multi-day trawler needs thousands of litres of diesel. There are about 4000 multiday trawlers, but about 1500 have not gone to sea because the owners could not get diesel. If there is no diesel available for the next round there will be a drop in catch for export purposes,” Mr. Kumara said.
Motorist S. Ranasinghe said that while on his way from office, he joined a long queue for petrol and when he went home, there was no electricity. “People are angry and frustrated,” he said.
Indian Oil Company (IOC)run fuel stations draw fewer crowds because its prices are high. Though CPC sought a fuel increase, it was not discussed at this week’s special Cabinet meeting headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Lahiru Daminda from Ratmalana said he had to go to several filling stations in search of diesel.
“The IOC station nearby was closed and Ceypetco did not have diesel. Then I went to another station only to be told there was fuel. “We don’t mind a slight increase as long as there are enough stocks. Going from one station to another and waiting in vehicle queues is frustrating,” he said.
Also affected by the crisis are Uber and Pickme drivers. Now we are limited to short travel and won’t take long distance trips, said M. Mustaq from Colombo.
A CPC fuel station employee said usually they are told to reserve 700-800 litres for police, military and essential services.
“Now we have very little left for essential services. The number of bowsers arriving has reduced drastically, too. People are fighting with us claiming we are hoarding fuel in anticipation of a price increase,” he said.
A Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) official said they continued to inspect fuel stations to ensure there was no hoarding.
This week, a tanker docked at the Colombo Port released 37,500 metric tonnes of diesel following the payment of US$ 35.3 million by the Central Bank. An Energy Ministry official said two tankers with petrol and diesel were docked at the port but their stocks were yet to be released.