Posted on Aug 3, 2022
In Sri Lanka, inflation means food shortages, blackouts — and days-long lines for gas
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Instead of going to school, 12-year-old Susil Michael is guarding her family's car at a gas station in Sri Lanka's capital.
Her sisters and parents are all taking turns. They've been waiting in line to fill up their gas tank for four days, sleeping in their car. They're not actually allowed to refuel for another day – Sri Lanka has implemented a gas rationing system based on license plates, similar to what parts of the United States did in the 1970s oil crisis – but the Michael family lined up early. There are thousands of cars and rickshaws in front of them.
"I don't like it. It's exhausting. It's hot and we can't afford food," Susil says.
Lots of countries are dealing with rising prices. Sri Lankans are among those suffering the most. Inflation in the Indian Ocean island nation now tops 60%. Food prices have nearly doubled. There are rolling blackouts, food shortages and political unrest.
Instead of going to school, 12-year-old Susil Michael is guarding her family's car at a gas station in Sri Lanka's capital.
Her sisters and parents are all taking turns. They've been waiting in line to fill up their gas tank for four days, sleeping in their car. They're not actually allowed to refuel for another day – Sri Lanka has implemented a gas rationing system based on license plates, similar to what parts of the United States did in the 1970s oil crisis – but the Michael family lined up early. There are thousands of cars and rickshaws in front of them.
"I don't like it. It's exhausting. It's hot and we can't afford food," Susil says.
Lots of countries are dealing with rising prices. Sri Lankans are among those suffering the most. Inflation in the Indian Ocean island nation now tops 60%. Food prices have nearly doubled. There are rolling blackouts, food shortages and political unrest.
In Sri Lanka, inflation means food shortages, blackouts — and days-long lines for gas
Posted from npr.org
Sri Lanka
Economics
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The fuel line as the great leveler
As darkness falls over Colombo, thousands of people prepare to spend yet another night sleeping in their cars, waiting for fuel. But one recent evening, a cheer goes up through the crowd at one gas station. The street lights have just flashed on, after a blackout that lasted hours. People erupt in celebration.
"Irrespective of your social status, irrespective of your income level, you have to stand in the queue. It's unifying!" says W.A. Wijewardena, former deputy governor of Sri Lanka's central bank.
The former bank official himself recently spent 50 hours in line to buy 20 liters of gasoline.
"Nobody knew who I was, and therefore they freely spoke to me. We shared food also! Because when you stand in the queue for 10 hours, it's a unifying element!" Wijewardena says. "There are many different people."
Across Sri Lanka, there are many different people waiting in line for gas. They're also waiting for solutions to a crisis that's brought their country to its knees. And many fear that wait could last several more months, or even years."
..."The fuel line as the great leveler
As darkness falls over Colombo, thousands of people prepare to spend yet another night sleeping in their cars, waiting for fuel. But one recent evening, a cheer goes up through the crowd at one gas station. The street lights have just flashed on, after a blackout that lasted hours. People erupt in celebration.
"Irrespective of your social status, irrespective of your income level, you have to stand in the queue. It's unifying!" says W.A. Wijewardena, former deputy governor of Sri Lanka's central bank.
The former bank official himself recently spent 50 hours in line to buy 20 liters of gasoline.
"Nobody knew who I was, and therefore they freely spoke to me. We shared food also! Because when you stand in the queue for 10 hours, it's a unifying element!" Wijewardena says. "There are many different people."
Across Sri Lanka, there are many different people waiting in line for gas. They're also waiting for solutions to a crisis that's brought their country to its knees. And many fear that wait could last several more months, or even years."
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