Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, April 2: An Indian Oil Corporation unit in Sri Lanka delivered 46,000 MT of fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board on Saturday, according to ANI.
This step was taken to help alleviate the island country’s severe power outages. The fuel shipment is part of a US $500 million oil credit line that India has granted.
“Standing with #Srilanka!!! @LankaIOCPLC supplied 6000 MT of fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board today,” the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka tweeted today.
Standing with #Srilanka!!! @LankaIOCPLC supplied 6000 MT of fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board today. pic.twitter.com/j088shtRNZ
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 1, 2022
In another tweet, it said, “More fuel supplies delivered by #India to #SriLanka! A consignment of 40,000 MT of diesel under #Indian assistance through Line of Credit of $500 mn was handed over by High Commissioner to Hon’ble Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge in #Colombo today.”
More fuel supplies delivered by #India to #SriLanka! A consignment of 40,000 MT of diesel under #Indian assistance through Line of Credit of $500 mn was handed over by High Commissioner to Hon'ble Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge in #Colombo today. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/j8S2IsOw29
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 2, 2022
The island nation is in the midst of its worst economic downturn since independence. Apart from fuel shortages and power outages, a serious shortage of critical commodities such as cooking gas, food, and pharmaceuticals has been triggered by a lack of foreign exchange.
Since Thursday, several places have been without petrol or diesel.
Furthermore, trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange was halted for a half to two-hour period. In order to save money on gas, non-essential personnel in the office have been requested to work from home until further notice.
After protestors concerned over fuel shortages and other essential commodities gathered outside his mansion on Friday, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa proclaimed a nationwide state of emergency. At least ten persons, including journalists, were injured.
Due to the collapse of the tourism sector, Sri Lanka’s economy has been in free fall since the COVID-19 outbreak.
