No Fuel Shortage. No reduction in profits for dealers and distributors - Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The new revenue scheme has not reduced the profits for fuel distributors and shed owners, and the spreading of rumours of a fuel shortage is a conspiracy to create a false impression of a return to fuel queues, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Prof. Anil Jayantha said in parliament today (1st).

The new scheme provides for a commission of 3.5% to the distributors and shed owners of the price per litre, the Minister said in response to a query from an Opposition MP. Those shed owners and distributors in more rural areas receive an even higher commission of 4.5%.

The number of orders made for fuel deliveries for the next few days is even higher than the usual daily number of 1,200 orders, the Minister said. There is therefore no shortage of fuel in the market.

However, a shortage is being created by a group that is spreading a false rumour over social media, causing consumers to rush to fuel sheds, the Minister said.