Sri Lanka in talks to buy fuel from China and Russia: Minister

COLOMBO, May 25 (Reuters): Sri Lanka is in talks to buy Russian crude and refined fuels from Russia and China, the energy minister said on Monday, as the import-dependent nation seeks to alleviate shortages linked to the global energy crisis.
Sri Lanka, which imports all of its fuel, has been hit hard by energy market fallout from the Iran war, pushing authorities to hike fuel prices by 40 per cent, ration fuel sales, and declare Wednesdays as public holidays.
Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake told Reuters the government had held "positive" discussions with both Russia and China over the past two months.
He added, however, that prices were still being negotiated in the case of potential Chinese fuel supplies, while payment methods needed to be ironed out with Moscow.