A Sri Lankan court has sentenced a 48-year-old man to three weeks in prison after he admitted to storing four litres of petrol during an ongoing fuel shortage linked to the Middle East conflict.
The ruling was delivered by a magistrate in Nikaweratiya, about 125 kilometres northeast of Colombo, who also imposed a fine of 1,500 rupees, equivalent to about $5, local media reported on Friday, March 27.
According to reports by the Lankadeepa newspaper, the man was charged with hoarding fuel and attempting to sell it on the black market at a time when strict rationing measures are in place.
He had initially claimed that the petrol was meant for use in his lawnmower.
Sri Lanka is currently grappling with limited fuel availability, with motorists restricted to purchasing petrol every other day as authorities try to manage dwindling supplies.
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Officials say existing diesel reserves are expected to last until mid-May, while petrol stocks may only stretch slightly longer.
The shortage has been worsened by rising global fuel prices, which have surged by about one-third following the escalation of hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Amid the crisis, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has begun seeking international support to stabilise supply.
His office disclosed that he recently held discussions with Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin on securing oil imports.
In a statement, the presidency quoted Marshavin as saying, “Russia is prepared to support Sri Lanka in facing any challenges arising from the Middle East conflict.”