No fuel shortage, don’t panic: Minister

■■ Directs CPC to monitor petrol sheds, suspend licence for not maintaining minimum stock requirement of 50%

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera assured yesterday there is no shortage of fuel in the country, whilst calling on the public not to have undue fears.

The announcement came after several filling stations across the country were closed over the past two days, while others were seen with long vehicle queues.

“The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation have adequate stocks of fuel for distribution,” he said, noting that filling station owners are required to maintain a minimum stock of 50%.

Minister Wijesekera also noted that he has directed the CPC to review the orders and suspend the license of fuel stations that had not maintained minimum stocks.

He said the issue has arisen as some filling station owners had refrained from placing new orders in anticipation of a fuel price revision.