Ministry will ensure continuous fuel supply to flood-hit areas - Arjuna

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources Development has taken steps to appoint a special disaster management unit to supply fuel to flood-hit regions, Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said.

He stated that the main responsibilities of the unit were to recognize and solve the problems affecting the distribution of fuel, and to integrate with all relevant institutions to ensure a continuous supply.

Minister Ranatunga stated this at a discussion held yesterday (29).

He added that one must not hesitate in the face of an emergency situation, and that action must be taken immediately.

We must also be prepared for the worst, he said. If we are not prepared to face any obstacle that comes our way, we may fail in our duty to supply fuel to the nation. Already some petroleum filling stations are unreachable due to floods.

However, the Minister of Petroleum Resources Development, Arjuna Ranatunga added that steps had already been taken to supply fuel to flood-hit areas by means of alternative methods.

He also stated that those employed under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources Development and associated institutions who were affected by the floods would be provided relief by the Ministry.