Gas distributed amidst police protection as shortage takes its toll

COLOMBO (News 1st); 'Shortage' is a word that is on almost every Sri Lankan's tongue. Milk powder, gas, fertilizer, and Dollars to name a few.

Due to the shortage of gas throughout the country, the distribution of gas in some areas today had to be done amidst police security.

Many who waited in long queues for gas still had to go empty-handed.

News 1st observed the situation in front of the Hikkaduwa police station on Tuesday (4).

About 400 cylinders were distributed amidst police security and the stock was quick to finish.

These long queues were compared to pilgrimages and dansal queues by those in the Oroppuwatta area in Galle.

"We will lose this country in the future. There is no food and this country will be lost soon", was what one person in the queue had to say.

Not only households but even hotels have been affected.

"The hotel is closed because we don't have gas to cook meals for guests. God Bless our hotels," said a local hotel owners.

"What failed governments have always done is pave the way for barbarism if they cannot be controlled. People are directed for that. Then you can suppress the people and suppress all their problems" was a view of another person who was trying to obtain a gas cylinder in the Ranna Wadigala area.

People were quick to blame the government. "It is the result of voting in this government", was the comment of a person in the Matara area.

A person in the Maligawatta area said, "there were queues in my father's time, but not like this ", referring to a period for all Sri Lankan's in the 1970s when tokens were issued for essential items.

Meanwhile, in several areas including Kurunegala, Hatton and Kandy it was observed that there was no milk powder in the shops.

"How can we live like this? There is no milk at home. My children are crying", said one ailing mother on the lookout for milk powder in Kurunegala.

"Find Bandula Gunawardana and tell him to come and observe the shortage of essential items in the shops in this area. It's hard for us to walk to look for milk," were comments made by others.

The cries of the people are evident and they look to the leaders of the country in hope that this crisis is solved soon.