By Rajadurai Hashan
COLOMBO – The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) assured the public on Tuesday (26) that the country has enough fuel to meet demand through the end of July and that no fuel shortage will occur.
CPC General Manager Mayur Neththikumaar, addressing a press briefing at the Corporation’s headquarters, warned that false reports claiming an imminent fuel shortage or long queues are circulating and urged people not to respond by buying unusually large quantities of fuel.
Following media reports suggesting a rise in fuel prices, consumers have been purchasing more fuel than usual, he said, adding that such behaviour disrupts normal supply operations at filling stations.
Neththikumaar emphasized that the CPC has taken no decision to raise fuel prices, noting that fuel required for this month and stocks sufficient through the end of July have already arrived in the country, and that all expected shipments for the month are now in port.
He added that two further crude oil tankers are due to arrive on May 28 and 31, and that the crude will be refined and can continue to supply fuel into the next month.
He also pointed out that although diesel prices on the global market rose in April, they have been gradually falling since, and the corporation expects further declines.
He rejected earlier assumptions that domestic pump prices would need to rise to as high as Rs 700, saying that the need has passed and there is no reason for the public to be anxious about fuel availability or imminent steep price hikes.
-ENCL
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