President directs Cabinet to take steps to supply fuel continuously

During today’s special meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has given directives to take steps for a continuous supply of fuel, says Minister Ramesh Pathirana.

However, a decision has not been taken to revise the fuel prices, according to the co-Cabinet spokesman.

A special Cabinet meeting, chaired by the Head of State, was called this evening to discuss the ongoing power crisis.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, who spoke to the media following the meeting, said it was decided that the government would settle the Ceylon Electricity Board’s arrears to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

Further, a decision has been taken to provide the necessary financial assistance to release the fuel tankers stranded at port.

A revision of fuel prices will not be made at the moment, the minister said further. He also noted that the price of a crude oil barrel in the global market now stands at USD 99. However, the government decided that the current fuel price rates should be maintained, after taking into account the issues faced by the general public.