May 22, Colombo: Sri Lanka Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association says they are requesting the Inspector General of Police (IGP) today to provide them with security during fuel transportation.

The Association’s Joint Secretary DV Shantha Silva told Neth News that they make the request to the IGP to provide security to the tankers in view of the obstructions made by certain groups in the past few days.

However, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera stated that a policy decision has been taken not to release fuel to the filling stations in areas where the public are blocking the roads and behave in a riotous manner.

Meanwhile, the police say that the operations to arrest those who hoard and sell fuel at higher prices will be increased throughout the country from today.

Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa stated that some of these rackets are being carried out by obtaining fuel from the filling stations in cans and other containers.