A Sri Lankan man has been sentenced to three weeks in jail for hoarding four litres of petrol during a national fuel crisis triggered by Middle East conflict.
COLOMBO: A 48-year-old man has been sentenced to three weeks in jail for hoarding four litres of petrol during a national fuel shortage. The magistrate in Nikaweratiya also imposed a fine of 1,500 rupees (USD 5).
The man initially claimed the fuel was for his lawnmower. He was charged with hoarding petrol and attempting to sell it on the black market during official fuel rationing.
Authorities imposed rationing as motorists on the island now receive fuel only every other day. Existing diesel stocks are reportedly sufficient until mid-May, with petrol supplies lasting about a week longer.
Fuel prices across Sri Lanka have risen by a third since conflict disrupted global supplies. The increase followed US and Israeli bombing of Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s office said he held talks with visiting Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin on securing oil. “Russia is prepared to support Sri Lanka in facing any challenges arising from the Middle East conflict,” the Russian minister was quoted as saying.
