The Cabinet received an official copy of the Supreme Court directive on the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, to reduce the price of petrol to Rs.100 a litre, yesterday, but it would be discussed further only when the ministers meet again next Wednesday, Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said yesterday.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Information Department, he said that the Cabinet of ministers, presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, discussed last Wednesday’s Supreme Court order on two successive days, but postponed taking a decision because an official intimation had not been received at the time.

"Now that an official copy of the Court directive has been sent to us it would be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting, which is usually held on Wednesday’s," he said.

Asked about the shortage of petrol in the market over the last two days, Yapa said that the CPC had sent out 160 bowsers to supply petrol to the various fuel stations in the country. "I can assure you that there will be no shortages."

Questioned about the possibility of fuel station owners not ordering sufficient stocks at the current price of Rs.122 a litre, due to the SC order that it should be sold at Rs.100, Yapa said that the government would ensure they do not lose.