The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, from this morning I have been addressing the fuel distribution issue. Let me reassure the public: do not panic. Yesterday, Lanka Auto Diesel releases amounted to 5,175 kilolitres—784 loads—and Octane 92 petrol 4,372 kilolitres—604 loads. By 5.00 p.m. today, 7,218 kilolitres of Auto Diesel—1,093 loads—had been released; also 168 kilolitres—25 loads—of Super Diesel, totaling 7,386 kilolitres. For petrol, 7,524 kilolitres—1,150 loads—of Octane 92 and 247.5 kilolitres—37 loads—of Octane 95 were released, totaling 7,777 kilolitres by 5.00 p.m.

¶ 02 Distributors who threatened a campaign have in fact collected loads: Mr. Sandanayake picked up one diesel load (6,600 litres) from Kolonnawa; from Trincomalee, one petrol load (19,800 litres) was collected; Mr. Shantha Silva collected two loads (13,200 litres) from Kolonnawa and two loads (13,200 litres) of Octane 92 from Trincomalee, and has applied and paid for five more Octane 92 loads (33,000 litres). Therefore, there is no need to panic-buy; sufficient fuel is being released—even above normal daily levels. Thank you.