Barisan Nasional's candidate for Sungai Besar says Teresa Kok’s claim that bankruptcy proceedings against him have commenced is a premature and desperate attempt to disqualify him from the polls.

A critical shortage of foreign currency has left Sri Lanka unable to pay for enough imported food, fuel and medicines to meet demand since the end of last year, causing widespread hardship.

Hundreds of thousands of motorists remained in miles-long queues for petrol and diesel even though the energy ministry announced they will not have fresh stocks of fuel for at least three more days.

He says the former PM will file applications to stay the bankruptcy proceedings and set aside the bankruptcy notice before May 24.