Sri Lanka deploys army at gas stations after three people die

New Delhi, 22 Mar Sri Lanka deployed soldiers to state gas stations on Tuesday to ensure safety after the death of at least three people, one of them stabbed, in the long queues caused by shortages and high prices, amid an acute economic crisis that the island nation is suffering.
“We have deployed military personnel to ensure security at Ceylon Petroleum Corporation stations, to help employees coordinate with the oil company and to ensure public safety in the queues,” Sri Lankan Army’s media director Colonel Nalin Herath told Efe.
The source said that this is a temporary measure, which comes after the death of several people who were waiting for their turn to obtain the scarce fuel.
The Sri Lankan daily Mirror reported on Sunday the death of a 70-year-old man in the town of Kadawatha, north of the capital, while standing in line at a gas station, as well as that of another 71-year-old man in the central city of Kandy a day earlier under similar circumstances.
The same media outlet reported yesterday that a 29-year-old motorist was stabbed to death by another driver following a dispute at a gas station in the western city of Nittambuwa.
Sri Lanka has been in severe fuel shortage for several months as a result of a deep economic crisis in the country.
In the context of this severe crisis, Sri Lanka has reached record inflation figures, forcing some families to sacrifice meals due to food shortages and rising prices.
The authorities, which have also imposed power cuts of up to seven hours, signed an agreement with India in early February to receive an urgent loan of $500 million and address fuel shortages. CHIEF
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