The Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) today reiterated that fuel distribution across Sri Lanka is continuing smoothly and without any disruption.

He said that by this (3) morning, more than 800,000 litres of diesel and over 900,000 litres of petrol had already been distributed to fuel stations countrywide.

The Chairman, D.A. Rajakaruna, said the recent surge in queues was not due to shortages but due to public behaviour. 

'I believe the crisis is now easing. We repeatedly said there was no need to treat this as an emergency. However, people queuing up created a temporary situation,' he said.

He noted that fuel distribution continued uninterrupted even during the holiday weekend. According to him, the quantities released yesterday were significantly higher than usual:

Diesel: 3,280,000 litres
Petrol 92: 10,172,000 litres
Petrol 95: 848,000 litres
Kerosene: 568,000 litres
Super Diesel: 343,000 litres

He said these figures were nearly double the normal daily distribution, though higher consumption in some areas may still cause occasional shortages. 'Overall, there is no reason for queues. In Colombo, queues are no longer visible,' he added.

By 8 a.m. today, the CPC had already issued:

Diesel: 815,740 litres
Petrol 92: 481,800 litres
Super Diesel: 19,800 litres
Petrol 95: 2,600 litres

He said distribution will continue throughout the day until all current demand is met. 'By this afternoon, there is absolutely no reason for any issue,' he assured.

Rajakaruna stressed that ongoing regional tensions or disruptions would not affect Sri Lanka’s petrol and diesel supply. All refined fuel shipments up to April have already been scheduled, mainly from India. Shipments expected include vessels arriving on the 7th and again on the 27th and 28th, and another from South Korea on the 29th and 30th.

He also confirmed that crude oil supplies remain secure. A shipment that was due on the 11th from Fujairah has now been confirmed and is already in the loading process. He said there would be no impact even if the Strait of Hormuz were closed. 'We anticipated this situation and made early preparations. Therefore, there is no reason for any problem for at least a month,' he explained.

Rajakaruna emphasised that fuel supply will remain uninterrupted and urged the public not to panic.