President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today (20) that immediate licences had been issued to five private companies to supply fuel exclusively for exporters in Sri Lanka.

He said the approvals were granted after the companies informed the Government of their capacity to meet the fuel requirements of the export sector.

The President clarified that these firms are not permitted to supply fuel to the general market and are restricted solely to serving exporters.

He added that the companies had commenced fuel supply operations on Wednesday (18), noting that private entities are able to procure fuel more easily.