Sri Lanka fuel crisis: Waiting for days to get fuel

Being the first in the line is a coveted position, but Ajeewan Sadasivam doesn't know how long he'll be stuck in.

He was in line for two days at the petrol station in the capital.

As a taxi driver, fuel is his main source of income.

The petrol gauge on Mr Sadasivam's car is empty.

I've slept in this car. I leave to get food and then come back and wait.

"I have to look after my family, my wife and two children, only if there's fuel can I start running my cab and make a living," he said.

Supplies are being sent to the capital from other parts of the island because of the lack of international fuel shipments.

The island nation doesn't have a lot of supplies.

A tanker is about to arrive. As he looks out at the station forecourt, members of the military walk up and down the forecourt.

He says that they are expecting a vehicle to reach them tonight.

Even if it takes a week, I have to be patient. I don't want to go to another line. It isn't practical.

The lines for fuel snake along the main road, along side streets and along the oceanfront, and are joined by many other people.

There are four parallel lines. There are one for cars, one for buses and trucks, and two for motorcycles and tuk-tuks.

It's a lot of waiting. Everyone needs to be issued a token before they can get fuel.

Most petrol stations only issue 150 token at a time, according to people we talked to.

Jayantha Athukorala is at the back of the queue and he spent at least 12 litres of petrol just to look for more.

By his best guess, Mr Athukorala is at number 300 in line.

He is not sure if he will get a token today. Without gas or petrol, we can't live. We're in a bad spot.

He was forced to sleep in his own car as he waited for his car to leave.

Some fuel stations only provide essential services like healthcare, food distribution and public transport, while others allow members of the public to get some.

According to Mr Athukorala, the allocated amount for cars will not be enough to fill up half a tank.

Russia has been contacted by the Sri Lankan government to help find sources of fuel. A delegation is due to arrive in Moscow at the weekend to discuss the purchase of cheap oil, and the president has written to the president of Russia to discuss the issue.

We pass by the fuel station and see Jagannathan, who is trying to get around.

He shows us his new bike, which still has some plastic on it, with a big smile.

He says he's still getting used to it.

With no petrol or diesel, Jagannathan stopped working and spent some of his savings on a bike.

He paid more than three times the normal price for his wheels.

We meet other people who are trying their luck as Jagannathan rides away on his new purchase.

There is a small group of people waiting to buy a lottery ticket.

It moves quickly until a labourer who survives on odd jobs buys up the remaining tickets.

"I have no source of income, it's hard, but we have to be patient," he said.

While some in the fuel queue sleep in their tuk-tuks and others form groups and chat to while away the time, Siri stares down at the pile of tickets in his hand.

"Maybe someday I'll win the lottery, with a lot more hope than most here," he1-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-6556

Andrew Clarance reports additional information.