Colombo, November 8 (newsin.asia): India on Wednesday said that it is rushing 21,000 kilo liters of petrol to Sri Lanka in view of the severe shortage in the island nation for the last few days due to the delayed arrival of vessels, non-acceptance of some consignments on grounds of quality and also hoarding by panic stricken consumers.
A press release from the Indian High Commission said that the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) has already released 3500 kilo liters from its own stocks and a further 21,000 kilo liters are being shipped. The release added that more shipments are contemplated if necessary, and that the Kochi Refinery in Kerala, is ready to meet the additional requirements.
India’s gesture followed a telephone conversation between Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the evening, during which Sirisena sought emergency supplies from India.
Meanwhile, the government of Sri Lanka said that a ship carrying gasoline from the UAE will be arriving in the night of November 8 ,which will ease the situation by November 9.
Gasoline and diesel had been imported by the LIOC in mid October but the government of Sri Lanka had said that these consignments could not be accepted because of non-conformity to Sri Lankan standards.