Sri Lanka on Tuesday deployed military personnel at fuel stations across the country as the government struggles to contain the ongoing crippling fuel shortage, leaving thousands of people to stand in long queues to wait for hours to get a few litres of fuel. 

Two military personnel will be deployed at all fuel stations operated by the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, the Sri Lankan Military confirmed, reported Daily Mirror. Officials said the move isn’t aimed at facilitating the distribution but to monitor the sale. 

In the last few days, at least three people reportedly died due to exhaustion after standing in long queues for hours. Reports also indicate growing incidents of fighting all across the country over the purchase of fuel.  

For almost a year, the island country has been short of foreign reserves. The crisis reached a new low as the government struggles to pay for the imports of essentials and fuel, forcing the authorities to ration both electricity and fuel. Public transportation remains severely affected.

Growing external debt, record import bills, the disruption in the earnings from tourism, and the lack of timely intervention from the government created a monstrous crisis with unimaginable consequences for the common people. 

In the country, industries and businesses have been affected due to long power cuts—sometimes, running up 10 hours a day— and a strict import control regime that the government has put in place to reduce import bills. Several businesses are on the verge of collapse. 

India has recently extended a $1 billion line of credit to cover the imports of food, medicine, and other essentials. Since January this year, Sri Lanka received assistance worth $2.4 billion from New Delhi. 

Colombo has now sought around $2.5 billion in loans from China, a request Beijing said it has been considering positively. 

(SAM)