Sri Lanka receives $160 million from World Bank; PM says looking at possibility of using some of it to buy fuel

Angry protesters in Colombo blocked several roads as part of the protest against ongoing fuel and gas shortages caused by the economic crisis

Sri Lanka has received $160 million from the World Bank and is looking at the possibility of using some of it to buy fuel, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on May 18, as protests continued in the country against the ongoing fuel and gas shortages caused by the economic crisis.

"160 million dollars has been received from the World Bank and a grant from the ADB (Asian Development Bank) is also expected," Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

He said the money received from the World Bank cannot be used to buy fuel.

“We are trying to see if we can use some of it for fuel purchases," he said.

Mr. Wickremesinghe in his address to the nation on Monday said that two more petrol shipments under the Indian credit line were due this week and by May 29.

His remarks came as angry protesters blocked several roads on Wednesday as part of the protest against ongoing fuel and gas shortages caused by the economic crisis.

Miles-long queues were seen around every fuel station.