Petroleum Resources Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, at a press conference called this afternoon apologized to the general public for the inconvenience caused but said the situation would be remedied soon.

The Petroleum Resources Minister explained that there were enough stocks of fuel to last until the 9th of November, adding that a tanker with fuel was expected in Sri Lanka on the 8th of November.

The current fuel shortage occurred when an oil tanker containing low-quality fuel was turned away by Sri Lanka authorities, sparking what has been termed ‘panic buying’ with people rushing to fill up their petrol tanks.

Long queues were to be observed outside petrol stations islandwide leading the Petroleum Resources Minister to call a press conference this afternoon to address the issue and allay fears that there will be no petrol to get on with day-to-day living.