The government accuse some groups illegally purchasing excess fuel illegally

Sri Lanka was also hit by US sanctions on Iran in 2012

"A necessary deterrent against a looming supply crunch "

The gas price increase follows Monday’s increase in fuel costs.

Sri Lanka has already raised fuel prices over soaring global oil prices after U.S./Israel's attack on Iran

Sri Lanka officials had said petrol and diesel stocks were adequate, before global oil prices surged more than 20 percen

“This will add roughly 10 days of additional storage capacity to our reserves,” Dissanayake said.

Several shipments, including one carrying 35,000 metric tons, will arrive on schedule, he said.

Motorists stay in long queues to fill tanks

The geopolitical shockwave could unsettle President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s plans