Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana
2026-03-03
Dr. Jayawardhana raised a supplementary question concerning fuel supply disruptions affecting the fishing community, noting that panic buying of diesel and kerosene has led to a suspension of fuel sales via cans and barrels — a key access method for fishermen outside harbours. He asked the Government to specify what immediate mechanisms would be implemented, and what arrangements would be made upon the arrival of the next fuel cargo, to guarantee uninterrupted fuel access for fishermen, who he noted were among the hardest hit during the economic crisis.
Hon. Speaker, my first supplementary is this: Our fishing community renders a vital service for national nutrition. Their essentials are diesel and kerosene. There is panic buying of both. The Government says there are stocks for about a month. Fishermen obtain fuel at harbours, but otherwise via cans and barrels; at present fuel is not issued to cans and barrels. What mechanism will the Government implement now, and when the next fuel cargo arrives, to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies to fishermen, who suffered most during the economic crisis?