Sri Lanka’s petrol stocks now less than a day's demand

Sri Lanka's Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has warned that the petrol stock of the nation can meet the demand for less than a day.

The minister issued the stark warning over the country's fuel stocks on Sunday as it faces its worst economic crisis in more than 70 years, according to a report of the BBC.

The nation only had enough petrol left for less than a day under regular demand, Wijesekera said, adding that its next petrol shipment was not due for more than two weeks.

Last week, Sri Lanka suspended sales of petrol and diesel for non-essential vehicles as it struggles to pay for imports like fuel, food and medicines, reports BBC.

Talking to the media, Wijesekera said the country had 12,774 tonnes of diesel and 4,061 tonnes of petrol left in its reserves.

"The next petrol shipment is expected between the 22nd and 23rd [of July]," he added.

A shipment of diesel is expected to arrive at the weekend. However, Wijesekera warned that the country does not have enough money to pay for planned fuel and crude oil imports, BBC reports.

He said Sri Lanka's central bank could only supply $125m for fuel purchases, far less than the $587m needed for its scheduled shipments.

The island nation of 22 million people is facing its worse economic crisis since gaining independence from the UK in 1948 as it lacks enough foreign currency to pay for imports of essential goods, according to the news report.

Acute shortages of fuel, food and medicines have helped to push up the cost of living to record highs in the country, where many people rely on motor vehicles for their livelihoods, BBC reports.