Sri Lanka in talks with Russia for fuel supply
Colombo [Sri Lanka], July 16: Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera reaches out to Russia to tackle the economic crisis.
Sri Lanka said that his government is in discussion with Russia for the purchase of fuel amid the raging energy crisis in the country.
Also Read: Senior SAD leader and former speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlo dies at 79
Addressing a press conference in Sri Lanka, Wijesekera lauded the Indian government for giving a credit line for purchasing fuel as the economic crisis continues to affect over 20 million Sri Lankans.
Wijesekera said that, "We have made requests (for fuel) to different countries. So, any country that comes to help us, we appreciate that. Right now, the Indian government is the only country that has provided us with a credit line."
"We are in discussion with the Russian Government as well...The initial meetings have taken place in Russia. We have given our requirements and we are working on it. We are waiting to hear what sort of facility will be accommodated to Sri Lanka," he added.
Meanwhile, Wijesekara introduced a fuel rationing scheme titled the "National Fuel Pass" scheme.
Sri Lanka has been under a major economic crisis that has created acute shortages of food, fuel, medical supplies, and left the country teetering on the edge of economic ruin, having entered discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over an emergency bailout.
The UN mission in Sri Lanka has urged senior politicians to ensure a peaceful transfer of power in line with the national Constitution, following weeks of protests that finally saw the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Also Read: Free bus travel for women becomes headache for Punjab Govt
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is also facing political crisis as Rajapaksa offered his resignation after fleeing the country and arriving in Singapore, having first flown to the Maldives on Wednesday after tens of thousands of protesters stormed his official residence in the capital Colombo earlier in the week.
-PTC News
