Motorists wait in queues to refuel their vehicles at a filling station in Wellampitiya on the outskirts of Colombo on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Sri Lanka on Sunday (March 15, 2026) switched to a digital QR code-based system to ration fuel sales, a move authorities described as a “precautionary measure” amid persisting uncertainty in West Asia.
Citing “prevailing geopolitical developments” in West Asia and their adverse impact on global supply chains, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Energy said the country’s existing fuel stocks were depleting amid an “abnormal increase” in demand. “Therefore, it has become necessary to carefully manage the available fuel reserves in order to sustain the country’s economic activities,” it said in a public notice announcing the switch to a QR code system.
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Sri Lankans last used a QR code-aided system in 2022 when the island’s economy crashed, resulting in critical shortages and long queues for fuel. The move requires consumers to register and download a QR code specific to their vehicle for use at fuel stations. The weekly quota for cars and motorbikes is limited to 15 litres and 5 litres, respectively. Following the announcement on Sunday, several vehicles queued up at fuel sheds around Colombo.
Deputy Minister of Industry Chathuranga Abeysinghe told The Hindu thatSri Lanka had adequate stocks at the moment and the decision to moderate fuel supply to consumers was more of a strategy for “prudent, rational usage”. “With the ongoing uncertainty, this will help us preserve and extend our stock as much as possible,” he said, adding: “We have confirmation from the Indian Oil Corporation that supply will be ensured.”
IOC subsidiary, Lanka IOC, controls around 20% of Sri Lanka’s retail market, which is dominated by the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Lanka IOC Managing Director K. Raghu on Saturday told Colombo-based media that Sri Lanka was “in safe hands” and that the company was committed to ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply to Sri Lanka despite challenges.
The Sri Lankan government has sought India’s additional support to augment supplies, Mr. Abeysinghe said. Colombo is also in talks with Moscow to explore purchasing oil from the Russia, a close partner of the island.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake convened a series of meetings on Sunday to discuss the maintenance of essential services and fuel supplies, and directed officials to study the option of remote working to save on national fuel consumption. “As it is difficult to make accurate predictions regarding possible future developments, the President emphasised the need for advance preparedness to face any potential situation that may arise,” a statement from his office said.
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Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday said it was “deeply concerned by the rapidly escalating situation” in West Asia and called for an “immediate de-escalation” of tensions. Sri Lanka “reiterates the need to respect the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” the Ministry said in a statement, without naming any of the actors involved.
Published – March 15, 2026 09:05 pm IST
