22 February 2022 12:00 am Views - 153
By Kelum Bandara
Triggering further uncertainty on a possible fuel shortage in the country, the Central Bank said it could not release foreign exchange to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation ( CPC) without getting the rupee component for it.
A ship with a consignment of diesel has been berthed at the port . The CPC has been unable to get it unloaded due to lack of US dollars to pay for it.
Earlier , Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said a fuel shortage could not be avoided unless US dollars were released for the payment of it.
Asked about the situation , Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said the banks would not release US
dollars without rupees in keeping with the exchange value . He said there is a single borrower limit and it applies to the CPC.