Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila told Lankasara that there is currently a shortfall of US $ 200 million to meet the full fuel requirement for January and that decisions on resolving the shortfall are expected at the Cabinet meeting to be held on tomorrow.
It usually costs $ 350 million a month to buy fuel, but according to current reserves, the CPC can allocate only $ 150 million.
He said that a decision is expected from the Cabinet to obtain the remaining funds.
He said he hoped to present a full report to the Cabinet tomorrow on the current situation and what needs to be done, and hoped that the government would identify the areas that need to be prioritized in such a crisis situation and take the necessary policy decision to spend dollars on them.
The Minister pointed out that the purchase of essential medicines, medical services and petroleum as the first and second priority.
It was recently reported that Sri Lanka’s gold reserves, which are in a foreign reserve crisis, have also declined.
