The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has stated that there is currently no fuel shortage in the country, despite a reduction in fuel distribution by certain private companies.

CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna said that the CPC continues to supply fuel through its filling stations to mitigate the situation.

Speaking to Ada Derana, Rajakaruna emphasised that the CPC has sufficient fuel reserves and that distribution operations are continuing without interruption.

"There is no fuel shortage in the country. We have sufficient reserves and are continuously releasing fuel. The issue stems from certain private companies reducing their fuel supply due to operational losses. Consequently, long queues are forming in areas where Ceypetco filling stations are not located nearby.”

He said that 52 locations without nearby Ceypetco filling stations had been identified and that, at a meeting chaired by the Secretary with representatives of all fuel companies, the companies had agreed to prioritise fuel supplies to those designated areas.

"It is true that these companies reduced their supplies, citing losses. However, they have now agreed to prioritise these locations when distributing the available volumes,” he said.

"Nevertheless, due to the reduced distribution by those companies, minor queues may still form in certain areas. Overall, there has been no disruption to our distribution process, nor is there any supply deficit. Distribution operations are continuing uninterrupted, as Ceypetco has increased its distribution to compensate for the shortfall from other companies. Therefore, there are no issues with regard to distribution," he added.