The country has been without aviation gasoline (Avgas) for more than six weeks, and that had disrupted flight training schools and grounding light aircraft, SLPP National Organiser and Hambantota District MP D.V. Chanaka has charged.

Speaking at a press conference held at the SLPP headquarters in Battaramulla, on Friday, Chanaka said the shortage of Avgas — a specialised fuel used to power piston-engine aircraft in general aviation — had already forced three pilot training academies to shut down, with others on the verge of closure.

“This is not just about training schools. The light aircraft operations that offer 15-, 30-, and 45-minute scenic flights for tourists — an industry that brings in much-needed foreign exchange — are also grounded due to the fuel shortage,” he said.

Chanaka noted that even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and Sri Lanka’s worst foreign exchange crisis, the country had never run out of Avgas.

“But today, when the government claims to have sufficient dollar reserves, it has inexplicably failed to import this essential fuel,” Chanaka said, suggesting that the crisis may be the result of either gross ministerial incompetence or a deliberate attempt to undermine the pilot training and domestic aviation sectors.

“The situation raises serious doubts. Is the government caught in a conspiracy to kill the industry? If not, the only explanation is the inexperience and inefficiency of new ministers,” Chanaka said, accusing the Minister of Power and Energy of ignoring repeated calls for action.

“We have been constantly urging the Minister to act. But ever since his bizarre claim that a nationwide blackout was caused by a monkey entangling itself in a transformer in Panadura, he has gone silent. It seems his NPP handlers have sealed his lips,” Chanaka said.

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage ✍️