This comes amid U.S. officers go to aimed toward assuaging the island’s financial disaster
This comes amid U.S. officers go to aimed toward assuaging the island’s financial disaster
Sri Lanka hiked gasoline costs on Sunday, creating additional ache for bizarre individuals as officers from the U.S. arrived for talks aimed toward assuaging the island’s dire financial disaster.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) mentioned it raised the worth of diesel, used extensively in public transport, by 15% to 460 rupees a litre whereas upping petrol 22% to 550 rupees.
The announcement got here a day after Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera mentioned there can be an indefinite delay in getting new shipments of oil.
Mr. Wijesekera mentioned oil due final week had not turned up whereas shipments scheduled to reach subsequent week would additionally not attain Sri Lanka attributable to “banking” causes.
Mr. Wijesekera apologised to motorists and urged them to not be a part of lengthy queues exterior pumping stations.
Many have left their automobiles in queues hoping to high up when provides are restored.
Official sources mentioned remaining gasoline provide was adequate for about two days, however that authorities had been saving it for important providers.
A delegation from the U.S. Treasury and the State Department arrived for talks to “explore the most effective ways for the U.S. to support Sri Lankans in need”, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo mentioned.
“As Sri Lankans endure some of the greatest economic challenges in their history, our efforts to support economic growth and strengthen democratic institutions have never been more critical,” U.S. ambassador Julie Chung mentioned in an announcement.
The Embassy mentioned it had dedicated $158.75 million in new financing prior to now two weeks to assist Sri Lankans.
Source: www.thehindu.com