Govt. requires $ 554 m to import fuel in June

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera

• Expects 12 fuel shipments to arrive next month – 4 diesel, 3 octane-92 petrol, 2 each from fuel and jet oil, a single batch of crude oil 

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday confirmed that the Government requires a total of $ 554 million to import fuel required for next month.

The Minister also met with Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe to discuss securing the funds required to procure fuel.

Minister Wijesekera said a total of $ 100 million will be facilitated through the existing Indian Credit Line to import fuel next month, whilst reiterating that negotiations are currently underway to secure a new credit facility from India worth another $ 500 million. 

As per the Minister, a total of 12 fuel shipments are expected to arrive in the country next month.

The Minister also said they are expecting four diesel shipments, three 92-octane petrol shipments, two consignments each of fuel oil and jet oil, and a crude oil shipment in June.