Sri Lanka deploys army at fuel pumps to curb stocking amid economic crisis

Colombo (Sri Lanka), April 4: The Sri Lankan military has been deployed at fuel pumps in Colombo to prevent the stocking of fuel, petrol, and LPG gas amid ongoing unrest in the country as a result of the economic crisis. According to reports, Sri Lankan army personnel were seen guarding a fuel pump in Colombo's Ernest de Silva Maratha area, that cannot stock any fuel. "We are here to stop stocking fuel for checks and to control the chaos," an army jawan said on condition of anonymity. Long lines can be seen at every fuel pump in Colombo for diesel since morning. "We have been waiting for diesel for eight hours and are unable to get it," said an owner of a school van. Also Read | CM Gehlot slams Centre over Karauli violence, urges PM Modi to address issue At the fuel pump, Red Cross vans packed with large oil drums are also forming a line for diesel. Furthermore, the fuel pump administration has sent out a notice to all fuel pumps stating, "Fuel will not be given in the drum." Due to supply stagnation in the midst of the current economic crisis, there are long lines in several parts of Colombo as well. On Saturday, India sent 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel to Sri Lanka, the fourth such shipment from New Delhi to help the island nation cope with an unprecedented economic and energy crisis driven by a lack of foreign exchange. Also Read | Six new Rajya Sabha MPs take oath -PTC News