As Sri Lanka's fuel and gas shortages intensify, citizens are turning to firewood. While affluent Sri Lankans can afford refined charcoal stoves, others are depending on traditional devices. Doctors warn that a permanent pivot to firewood would be disastrous for public health. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary | Sri Lanka turns to firewood amid gas shortage

As the Sri Lankan economy further dips into crisis with shortages of everything from medicines to gas, people are returning to cooking with firewood. Sri Lanka used to be a middle-income country, with GDP per head comparable to the Philippines and living standards the envy of neighbouring India. But with economic mismanagement and the crucial tourism industry hammered by Covid, the nation has run out of dollars needed to pay for most imports. And the pain will likely continue for some time, with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in parliament on Tuesday saying, "We will have to face difficulties in 2023 as well. This is the truth. This is the reality."

The switch began at the beginning of the year when more than 1,000 kitchens exploded across the country, killing at least seven people and injuring hundreds more. The reason was suppliers looking to cut costs and increase the proportion of propane, which raised the pressure to dangerous levels. But now, along with much else in the country of 22 million people, gas is either unavailable or too expensive for most, as reported by AFP.

Some tried to shift to kerosene oil cookers, but the government did not have dollars to import them along with petrol and diesel, which are also in short supply. And those who bought electric cookers were in for a rude shock when the government imposed lengthy power blackouts as it ran out of dollars to import fuel for generators.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/udaipur-terror-attack-how-my-hometown-turned-into-a-curfew-zone-494414">Udaipur terror attack: How my hometown turned into a curfew zone &nbsp;</a>

Niluka Hapuarachchi, 41, was miraculously unharmed when her gas range exploded soon after cooking Sunday lunch in August. "Fortunately, no one was there at the time. There were pieces of glass all over the floor. The glass-top stove had exploded. I will never use gas for cooking. It is not safe. We are now on firewood," she said, despite moves to address the propane problem.

Roadside eatery owner M.G. Karunawathi, 67, also switched to wood and said it was a choice between closing her business or putting up with smoke and soot. "We suffer (smoke inhalation) when cooking with firewood, but we have no choice," Karunawathi told AFP. "It is also difficult to find firewood and it is also becoming very expensive."

(with inputs from agencies)

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As the Sri Lankan economy further dips into crisis with shortages of everything from medicines to gas, people are returning to cooking with firewood. Sri Lanka used to be a middle-income country, with GDP per head comparable to the Philippines and living standards the envy of neighbouring India.

As the Sri Lankan economy further dips into crisis with shortages of everything from medicines to gas, people are returning to cooking with firewood. Sri Lanka used to be a middle-income country, with GDP per head comparable to the Philippines and living standards the envy of neighbouring India. But with economic mismanagement and the crucial tourism industry hammered by Covid, the nation has run out of dollars needed to pay for most imports. And the pain will likely continue for some time, with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in parliament on Tuesday saying, "We will have to face difficulties in 2023 as well. This is the truth. This is the reality." The switch began at the beginning of the year when more than 1,000 kitchens exploded across the country, killing at least seven people and injuring hundreds more. The reason was suppliers looking to cut costs and increase the proportion of propane, which raised the pressure to dangerous levels. But now, along with much else in the country of 22 million people, gas is either unavailable or too expensive for most, as reported by AFP. Some tried to shift to kerosene oil cookers, but the government did not have dollars to import them along with petrol and diesel, which are also in short supply. And those who bought electric cookers were in for a rude shock when the government imposed lengthy power blackouts as it ran out of dollars to import fuel for generators. Also Read: Udaipur terror attack: How my hometown turned into a curfew zone Niluka Hapuarachchi, 41, was miraculously unharmed when her gas range exploded soon after cooking Sunday lunch in August. "Fortunately, no one was there at the time. There were pieces of glass all over the floor. The glass-top stove had exploded. I will never use gas for cooking. It is not safe. We are now on firewood," she said, despite moves to address the propane problem. Roadside eatery owner M.G. Karunawathi, 67, also switched to wood and said it was a choice between closing her business or putting up with smoke and soot. "We suffer (smoke inhalation) when cooking with firewood, but we have no choice," Karunawathi told AFP. "It is also difficult to find firewood and it is also becoming very expensive." (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Once prosperous, Sri Lankans will now cook with firewood, as economic mismanagement hits hard

Sri Lanka's inflation hit a ninth consecutive record in June. With this, the Sri Lankans are forced to use firewood for cooking purposes. These desperate measures come as Sri Lanka struggles to arrange for basic essentials such as gas or fuel for its citizens

Sri Lanka Economic Crisis worsens | Many Sri Lankans switch to firewood

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