Sri Lanka turns to Saudi Arabia for fuel on utmost urgent basis

• Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed to rush there as President’s Envoy  

In its quest for securing fuel supplies, Sri Lanka has reached out to Saudi Arabia to seek avenues of energy cooperation on ‘an utmost urgent basis’, according to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.  Foreign Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris  sought this assistance when Charge d’ Affaires of the Saudi Abdulelah A. A.Orkobi called on him on June 30.   

As part of fresh engagements, Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed will visit Saudi Arabia between July 2 and 5 as the special envoy of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.   

At the meeting, Foreign Minister Peiris briefed on the current economic situation including fuel shortage and its negative impact on all sectors in Sri Lanka.  

 The Saudi envoy emphasised the importance attached to the Sri Lanka – Saudi bilateral relationship and assured all possible support to Sri Lanka at this juncture.  

The country is going through a shortage of fuel, with the next shipment at least two weeks away. The government has restricted the available stocks only to essential services.    

• The Saudi envoy assured all possible support to Sri  Lanka at this juncture