Man Jailed in Sri Lanka for Storing 4 Liters of Petrol at Home

An unusual and surprising incident has been reported in Sri Lanka, where a man was jailed for storing petrol at home.

According to foreign media, a 48-year-old resident of Kobegane in Kurunegala was convicted for keeping 4 liters of petrol illegally.

The court sentenced the man to 21 days in prison along with a fine of approximately LKR 1,500.

Police informed the court that the accused was arrested with petrol during a period when fuel storage restrictions were in place.

The case was registered under the Petroleum Products (Regulation and Control of Supplies) Act No. 34 of 1979.

The accused argued that the petrol was meant for domestic use, while his lawyer stated it was intended for a grass-cutting machine, not for sale.

The defense further highlighted that the law does not clearly define permissible storage limits, raising questions about the legal grounds for prosecuting such a small quantity.