Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said they had received information that a large number of those queuing at gas stations are buying fuel to resell at higher prices.

This was causing great inconvenience for the people as long queues persist despite availability of fuel, said Thalduwa. 

Meanwhile, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said that a ship carrying petrol started unloading in Colombo on Saturday night.

Another ship carrying petrol will arrive on May 25, the minister said.

Sri Lanka has been facing a severe foreign exchange shortages, leading to fuel shortages for the past few months.