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Farmers, tuk drivers distressed by fuel crisis

01 Mar 2022

BY Pamodi Waravita The All Island Farmers’ Federation and the All Island Three Wheeler Drivers’ Union yesterday (28 February) raised serious concerns about how the fuel crisis is affecting their respective industries while Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) Opposition Parliamentarian J.C. Alawathuwala spoke on how the fuel crisis is affecting students sitting for their General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A/L) examination this month and the fisheries industry. Speaking to The Morning yesterday, All Island Farmers’ Federation Chairman Namal Karunaratne stated that although farmers have now entered the crop harvesting cycle stage of the “Maha” season, they are facing two main issues. “The first problem is the fuel shortage. There is no fuel to buy in most filling stations. The second problem is that farmers take cans to filling stations to obtain fuel to put in their heavy machinery, however, sheds have stopped giving fuel to those carrying cans, and are prioritising vehicles instead,” said Karunaratne. He noted that there are three types of heavy machinery used by farmers which require diesel and smaller machines which need petrol. “Three problems arise when the crops are not harvested on time. If in the middle of a crop harvesting cycle, it is stopped due to the lack of fuel, and there is sudden rain, this destroys the harvested crops. Secondly, too much exposure of the crops to the sun leads to more wastage. Thirdly, crops also need to be harvested on time in order to ensure minimum damage from wild animals.” Furthermore, he said that the lack of fuel to power tractors and lorries to transport harvested crops to mills has led to another problem for farmers. All Island Three Wheeler Drivers’ Association Chairman Lalith Dharmasekera told The Morning that professional three wheeler drivers also face two main issues due to the ongoing fuel crisis. “We cannot find fuel in sheds. We also cannot continue to run at these prices, especially if there is another fuel price hike. But if we increase our fares, customers will be in trouble,” said Dharmasekera. “An independent driver operating in the Colombo area needs about five litres of fuel per day. A driver working for one of the three wheeler companies (which run on mobile applications) needs about eight litres of fuel per day to operate in the Colombo area. The cost is becoming unbearable.” Alawathuwala, speaking to the media yesterday, noted the impact of the fuel crisis on the fisheries industry as boat owners cannot find the fuel required in order to go out to sea. “The power cuts, due to the fuel shortages, are heavily impacting the A/L students. How is it fair for them? How can they study for the most competitive Exam of their lives when there are five hour power cuts per day?” questioned Alawathuwala. Last week, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila admitted in the Parliament that the ongoing US dollar crisis has led to a challenging situation with regard to fuel imports. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), through the Energy Ministry, has been requesting a fuel price hike from the Government. Its challenges have been aggravated since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, following which crude oil prices in the global market rose to an all time high since 2014. However, at the special cabinet meeting on 22 February to discuss the power and energy crises, it was decided to not revise fuel prices and for the Government to settle a payment of Rs. 80 billion to the CPC for the continuous supply of fuel. The Lanka Indian Oil Corporation increased its fuel prices twice this month - for diesel by Rs. 15 per litre and for petrol by Rs. 20 per litre. Over the past few days, Sri Lanka faced nearly five hour power outages around the island. Today’s (1 March) power outages are to be three hours long. 


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