Sri Lanka Lacks Foreign Exchange to Pay Fuel Imports, Says Energy Minister

The Chinese-managed terminal of the Colombo port is seen from the Galle Face promenade in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Feb. 2, 2021. Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images

Sri Lanka lacks foreign exchange to cover the cost of fuel imports, energy minister Udaya Gammanpila said Monday, adding that the country seeks to arrange payment for a shipment of 40,000 tons of diesel.

Gammanpila said that his ministry has discussed with the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to provide $35 million in funds to cover the cost of the fuel shipment that arrived in the Colombo port on Sunday.