7 June 2022 12:00 am Views - 155
By Kelum Bandara
The government explores the possibility of obtaining fuel and fertiliser from China under a credit facility, Daily Mirror learns. This is in addition to a consignment of diesel to be donated to Sri Lanka by China under its RMB 500 million (US $ 76) aid package to get over the current difficulties here.
The Prime Minister’s Office is in liaison with the Chinese Embassy in Colombo to get this consignment dispatched to Sri Lanka.
A top source said that the Sri Lankan authorities are in contact with Beijing to get fuel and fertiliser from China on credit for a long term. Sri Lanka currently depends on fuel purchased under an Indian Line of Credit. India extended US $ 500 million initially, and later another US $ 200 million. Besides, there are negotiations for another credit line of US $ 500 million. Also, Sri Lanka will obtain 65,000 tonnes of fertiliser from India.
The agricultural activities have been hampered by the shortage of chemical fertiliser, triggering fears of a shortfall in food supply after October. The government is bracing for cultivation in the next season by securing adequate quantities of agrochemicals.