The Government is unable to find the US $42 million required to release a vessel containing diesel and jet fuel that has been docked at the Colombo Port over the last 6 days, the Ministry of Energy said.
Ministry Secretary K.D.R. Olga said that the Ministry is unable to obtain the necessary money from banks, adding that the banks have informed that it requires several days to arrange the said amount of dollars.
She said that the Ministry will be able to arrange the necessary money by Monday and will take measures to obtain the fuel.
The Ministry said US$ 19,000 per day is being paid as demurrage charges for the delay in releasing the ship that contains 20,000 metric tonnes of diesel and 20,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has instructed the Ministry of Energy to obtain the necessary money from private banks if required.
The Ministry held discussions with key private banks in this regard yesterday, but the banks are unable to provide the said amount of dollars as yet, she said.
Olga further said even though there is a shortage of diesel, Sri Lanka is in stock of sufficient petrol at present.
Stating that earlier diesel sufficient for two days had been distributed but fuel stations had run out of the fuel in three hours, she said this was an issue.
She further said, however, Sri Lanka is in possession of sufficient diesel until the 21st of March.
The Energy Ministry Secretary added that another vessel with diesel is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (20). (NewsWire)