For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, the Sapugaskanda oil refinery has been suspended from yesterday (15). The reason for doing so was due to the severe dollar crisis in the country.
The Cabinet meeting held yesterday also focused on these fuel issues. Minister Udaya Gammanpila has stated that at present it costs US $ 350 million to import fuel. Although the Central Bank provides US $ 200 million, there are sufficient funds to import fuel until next February, the Minister said yesterday.
Minister Udaya Gammanpila has stated in the Cabinet that it would be more appropriate to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to resolve the dollar crisis if no solution is found. However, several ministers, including Minister Bandula Gunawardena, did not agree, saying they would have to submit to various conditions to obtain it.
Several months ago, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe also told the government to immediately enter into an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to obtain a loan. That is to recover from this dollar crisis. But the government at the time ignored his statement.