Fuel shortage triggers unrest

Long queues can be seen both in cities and outstations today with agitated motorists complaining over severe delay in releasing both petrol and diesel. Many motorists claim they have been in fuel queues for days. 

Heavy traffic is being reported in Colombo city after angry motorists blocked the Panchikawatte junction in Maradana demanding fuel. 

A new fuel station was erected at the Bastian Mawatha private bus stand today. Diesel to this station will be directly supplied from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for private buses. The fuel station is linked to a railway line.

Private Bus Owners Association President Gemuni Wijeratne told Timesonline that if they do not receive sufficient amounts of diesel, private bus operations will come to a complete halt from Friday. He said at present only 20 per cent of private buses are operating.

Today also witnessed jam-packed office trains as many resorted to low-cost public transport means.

Farmers complain over the low trader turnout at Economic Centres. They say their fresh produce are left to rot and discarded due to the fuel shortage. (Pix by Akila Jayawardana, Indika Handuwela and G. Kishanthan)