BASL accuses authorities of misleading the public on fuel

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said it is gravely concerned as to the manner in which the present economic crisis and the resultant shortages, especially of fuel are being handled by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) adversely affecting the lives of the people, the administration of the country and running of businesses and ultimately the stability of the community.   

It has also led to a deterioration of Law and Order in the country, the BASL said.   

The sequence of announcements with regard to the supply of fuel by the authorities is set out below:   
17th of June 2022 – It was announced that Letters of Credit had been opened for US$ 42.6 million for a shipment of 300,000 barrels of Octane 92 Petrol;   

19th of June 2022 – It was announced that Letters of Credit for US$ 90 million were opened for shipments of petrol and diesel to be delivered respectively on 23rd and 24th June;   

23rd of June 2022 – It was announced that delivery of the fuel cargo of 40,000 MT of Petrol had been delayed by one day;   

24th of June 2022 – It was announced that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) had been informed by the supplier that the petrol cargo confirmed to arrive the previous day was further delayed and a new date of arrival will be confirmed later that day;   

25th of June 2022 – The Minister of Power and Energy announced that the suppliers had communicated the inability to fulfil the deliveries on time for ‘banking and logistic’ reasons.