Batticaloa faces petroleum shortage as youths disrupt supply

[TamilNet, Sunday, 11 January 2004, 13:42 GMT]
Unknown group of youths Friday, in Sitthandy, Batticaloa, forced a private bowzer carrying Petroleum products to Batticaloa from Colombo, forcing the authorities to suspend further petroleum shipments to Batticaloa. This has caused severe shortage of petroleum products in Batticaloa district resulting in temporary closure of Petrol (Gas) stations, sources from Batticaloa said.

Security authorities are allowing distribution of available petroleum products only to emergency services and have assured the public that efforts are underway to replenish the dwindling petrolum supply.

Police are conducting urgent investigations to identify the youth group that is responsible for the Friday incident and are taking action to prevent the occurrence of such incidents in the future.

Vehicle owners said that unless the situation improves soon they will face financial ruin, and that the travelling public will be greatly inconvenienced.

Batticaloa residents said that there is a marked decrease in number of vehicles, especially motorcycles on the road.