Sri Lanka Released 45 Days of Fuel in Nine Days as QR System Becomes Mandatory

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) says fuel stocks that were scheduled to be released over a period of one and a half months have been fully distributed within just nine days.

According to the CPC, within the first 10 days following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, 57,000 metric tonnes of diesel were issued to the public through fuel stations across the country. During the same period, 47,000 metric tonnes of petrol were also distributed.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing Middle East conflict and anticipating potential future risks, the government has made the QR-based fuel distribution system mandatory for all vehicles. The decision took effect nationwide from 6.00 a.m. yesterday (15).

The Ministry of Power and Energy announced that the mandatory QR system was reintroduced considering both the current situation arising from the Middle East war and the possible risks ahead. The ministry said the global impact of the conflict on fuel sources, combined with an increase in daily fuel consumption, led to the decision.

Under the QR-based system, the amount of fuel each individual can obtain per week has been restricted to a fixed quota.

Under the revised QR-based fuel allocation, motorcycles are entitled to five litres per week. Three-wheelers and cars can obtain 15 litres, while vans and special purpose vehicles are allocated 40 litres. Tractors are entitled to 25 litres per week, lorries to 200 litres, and buses to 60 litres.

Meanwhile, steps have also been taken to revise the fuel quota system for buses, moving away from a fixed allocation and instead supplying fuel based on the distance traveled.

Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, D. A. Rajakaruna, said that until this revised system is fully implemented, fuel for buses will be issued through the Sri Lanka Transport Board.

For individuals who had previously registered under the QR fuel system, fuel can be obtained from today via the website fuelpass.gov.lk, provided there have been no changes to vehicle ownership or registered mobile phone numbers.

Those who had not previously registered, as well as vehicle owners whose ownership details or mobile phone numbers have changed, have been given the opportunity to newly register or re-register through fuelpass.gov.lk.

The Department of Government Information said authorities are identifying individuals who have changed vehicles or phone numbers, as well as those who have newly purchased vehicles, and are working to identify and resolve issues they face as quickly as possible.