The General Manager of the Railways Dhammika Jayasundara stated that the Railway Department has fuel reserves only for a period of five days.

Jayasundera said that although the Railway Department could store fuel for 10 days, it has now been reduced by about 50 percent.

He said that although there was a reduction in the fuel reserves of the Railway Department, it was not an impediment to the operation of the trains at the moment.

He further said that the trains require around 100,000 liters per day and that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation operates a system of purchasing fuel on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, the number of private buses will be reduced by 50 percent from tomorrow (28) due to fuel shortages, said the President of the Ceylon Private Bus Owners' Association Gemunu Wijeratne.

Accordingly, office hours, GCE Advanced Level examination dates and other essential routes will be operated by buses, Wijeratne said.

He also said that measures will be taken to completely restrict unnecessary travel and daytime bus services.