Severe fuel shortage, Sri Lanka cuts power 13 hours a day across the country

Sri Lanka, a country of 22 million people is struggling to cope with the effects of the economic crisis. Lack of foreign currency makes the country unable to ensure the supply of many basic goods and utilities in the country, seriously affecting people’s lives.

Ms. Peris’s refrigerator is often empty these days, the reason is because the electricity is cut off often, it is not possible to store food in the refrigerator anymore. The weather in Colombo is hot, the temperature often rises above 30 degrees Celsius, but the fan cannot be turned on, nor the TV can be turned on.

Ms. Kanthi Peiris – 60 years old, resident of Colombo city, Sri Lanka said: “The day before yesterday the power was cut for 10 hours, today they said it was cut off for 13 hours, the fish meat and milk in the refrigerator are all spoiled, the children are crying all the time because of the heat. too”.

The electricity-saving regime was introduced earlier this month when power plants did not have enough oil and coal to run generators because the state no longer had enough foreign currency to pay suppliers. Power cuts could last until May when the rainy season begins, filling hydroelectric reservoirs. Prolonged power cuts have a great impact on the operation of food business households.

Mr. Dudshantha Edirisinhe – Salesman said: “Every year, this time is an occasion for us to sell goods, but this year there was a big power cut so we can’t sell anymore, the sausages will all spoil. The meat is in the cupboard. frozen, so it’s not broken right away, but it can’t be sold. Because if you want customers to buy it, you have to put it on the fridge.”

DW TV channel said that Sri Lanka’s foreign currency reserves are very tight and the country is struggling to import essential goods such as fuel, food and medicine.

The scene of long lines of people waiting in line to buy fuel appeared in many localities, and even in some places, there was a scene of jostling, fighting, causing the authorities to deploy soldiers to keep order.

The Sri Lankan government has announced that it will negotiate with international partners to find a way out of the crisis, although it has previously said it will not resort to international financial institutions to accept unfavorable terms for the country. National interest.

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