By Rathindra Kuruwita

Newly-appointed Chairman of Litro Gas, Muditha Peiris, yesterday said the company had acted irresponsibly and not a single ship carrying gas had been scheduled for the coming weeks.

Peiris said that a ship carrying 3,900 metric tonnes of gas had arrived and that it was not at all adequate to address crippling gas shortages.

Institutions like hospitals, crematoriums and hotels would be given priority when the 3900 metric tonnes consignment of gas was distributed, he said.

Limited quantities of gas would be released for domestic use, he added.

“There is very little we can do with 3,900 metric tonnes. Moreover, after this shipment, there are no others scheduled. Litro officials have acted irresponsibly. We have not reached out to any suppliers to figure out an agreement. Yes, there are financial difficulties, but officials must try to find some kind of a solution,” he said.

The Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) head, Gemunu Wijeratne said that 80% of private buses were not operational for want of diesel.

“Only two buses were in operation on some routes where 25 to 30 buses run on average. In rural areas, there is no bus transport. Only CTB buses are operational, but I don’t think they are operating at full capacity. Most buses are privately owned, and we all need to sit down and talk. The Minister insists that diesel will be issued to us through SLTB Depots but that doesn’t happen in the real world. Unless, this issue is addressed there might be clashes between various bus operators in the coming weeks,” he said.

Meanwhile, the last fuel ship, under the Indian credit line, will arrive in Sri Lanka today (16). This will carry 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that they would provide 50% of the fuel demand in the next few weeks, giving priority to electricity and transport sectors.

The PM added that they were finalising a new credit line with India and that they expected to obtain fuel for another four months through that.

“On the 16th, a ship with 40,000 metric tons is coming. There are two ships, a petrol and diesel ship to come till the end of the month. For the next month we are taking action to get two more ships. When we sign the Indian credit line, we can get fuel for four months. All these will be given at a 50 percent basis,” he said.