Petroleum Dealers Urge Government to Ensure Continuous Fuel Supply

The Petroleum Dealers’ Association has urged the government to take immediate measures to ensure a continuous supply of fuel to filling stations across the country.

Deputy Chairman of the Association, Kusum Sandanayake, said filling station operators were facing serious difficulties due to inadequate fuel supplies, particularly at stations operated by foreign companies.

He said members of the association from across the island had reported that several such filling stations were not receiving sufficient quantities of fuel. While the association was exercising patience, he stressed that the issue needed to be resolved without delay.

Sandanayake explained that filling stations depend heavily on fuel sales for their revenue. When fuel sales stop, operators face difficulties in meeting essential expenses, including electricity bills, employee salaries and bank loan repayments.

He therefore called on the relevant minister to intervene and hold discussions with the foreign companies concerned to resolve the matter.

He also said the association was prepared to distribute any fuel received to consumers as quickly as possible until the situation was brought under control.

According to Sandanayake, a large number of filling stations remained closed, while those that had received fuel had already resumed sales. He expressed hope that more stations would receive fuel during the day and resume operations.

He acknowledged that the government was also facing significant financial challenges, including difficulties in making large payments through the Treasury at once. However, he stressed that regardless of the payment situation, discussions with the foreign companies should be held urgently to ensure the uninterrupted supply of fuel.