Colombo, Oct. 12 (Daily Mirror) - Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake has assured the public that there is no impending fuel shortage in the country, urging consumers not to be misled by rumours circulating on social media or engage in unnecessary panic buying.
Speaking to the media in Colombo, the Minister said excessive fuel purchases and stockpiling could aggravate temporary disruptions in supply. He urged the public to purchase only the fuel they require, assuring that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) was prepared to maintain an uninterrupted supply and prevent a shortage.
Acknowledging a minor disruption in fuel availability during the early part of the week, Karunathilake said the situation was now stabilising, with several companies resuming fuel distribution to the market.
He said that private fuel companies were free to operate and determine their own prices, while the CPC remained committed to supplying fuel at reasonable and affordable prices to protect consumers.
The Minister made these remarks after attending the 37th Annual General Meeting of the Container Transport Owners' Association in Colombo as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, he said the Government was committed to creating a free, fair and supportive environment for investors and business owners. He also highlighted the importance of the business and logistics sectors to the national economy, noting that their contributions to the Treasury helped fund essential public services, including education, healthcare and social welfare.
Meanwhile, representatives of the transport sector praised the Minister for his accessibility and approach to addressing their concerns.
A representative of the association said the sector had previously been compelled to resort to trade union action and strikes to secure meetings with ministers and resolve grievances. However, under the current administration, issues were being addressed more promptly, with the Minister remaining accessible to industry representatives, including through direct telephone calls, the representative said.