Grey market fuel sellers becoming active amid panic buying: Fuel Distributors

By Yohan Perera 

Grey market businessmen engaged in selling fuel at black market prices are becoming active amid panic buying across the nation, the Ceylon Fuel Distributors Association warned yesterday. “There are some who purchase fuel and sell at exorbitant prices, making use of the panic buying by the people. These grey businessmen were active during the 2022 economic crisis. They seemed to be becoming active once again, making use of the panic buying situation that had occurred after conflicts broke out in the Middle East,” Ceylon Fuel Distributors Association President Shelton Fernando told Daily Mirror. “There is no need for panic buying as there are sufficient stocks of fuel. There is fuel in all 1,100 filling stations across the nation. Only excess demand could cause a shortage,” he said. Mr Fernando also said distributors have decided to issue fuel only for vehicles and refrain from issuing fuel to those who come with cans and bottles. Meanwhile, both the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private bus owners said buses are plying as normal. Private Bus Owners Association President Gemunu Wijeratne told Daily Mirror that all 13,000 private buses were plying as there was enough diesel available. “Most of the private buses in Sri Lanka run on diesel,” he said. A senior official of the SLTB, who did not wish to be named, said buses are plying, though there has been a slight hiccup because of the long weekend. “Around 4,700 SLTB buses ply across the country daily. However, around 4,500 buses were plying in Sri Lanka as of yesterday. We added 100 more buses to avoid inconvenience to the people,” the spokesman said.