Fuel rationing leads to longer queues

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation's decision to ration fuel has created more panic buying and longer queues at fuel sheds.

Fearing that the restrictions are an indication of a more serious fuel shortage to come, the people are hoarding stocks of fuel.

However, CPC chairman Sumith Wijesinghe told the Sunday Times that although the restrictions were officially announced on Friday, some filling stations had arbitrarily introduced fuel rationing weeks ago.

He said the restrictions were necessary to bring about some discipline among the people regarding the use of fuel.

He said one of the objectives was to reduce delays occurring at sheds as a result of change money having to be given. By limiting purchase of fuel to round figures, the delays could be minimised, he said

Mr. Wijesinghe said public response to the fuel issue was disproportionate. "Stop collecting stocks of fuel. We have stocks adequate for a week. Together with new shipments, there will be enough fuel to go on until May 5," he said.

The chairman said the country was facing a difficult situation and therefore urged the people to use fuel economically and curtail travelling.

According to the authorities, the CPC is in possession of 6,000 metric tonnes of petrol and a ship containing 40,000 metric tonnes is unloading its cargo at present. The CPC also has 1,000 metric tonnes of diesel with 40,000 metric tonnes being unloaded from a ship. These two ships arrived at the Colombo Port on April 14 and 15.

However, since last week there havebeen shortages of Octane 95 petrol.

Meanwhile, officials pointed out that the diesel shortage was due to the cancellation of two shipments that were due to arrive on March 25 and 29. The CEB obtaining 12,000 tonnes of diesel from a 37,000 tonne shipment that arrived late was also a reason for the shortage, they said.