Sri Lanka declares Wednesdays off, approves emergency spot purchases amid fuel crisis

Record ID: 2366713

  • Title: Sri Lanka declares Wednesdays off, approves emergency spot purchases amid fuel crisis
  • Date: 18th March 2026
  • Summary: SCHOENEFELD, GERMANY (MARCH 18, 2026) (REUTERS) PLANES PARKED ON TARMAC AIRPORT TOWER PLANE PARKED IN FRONT OF TERMINAL VARIOUS OF EMPTY TERMINAL PEOPLE SITTING ON BENCHES PAN OVER EMPTY DEPARTURES HALL PEOPLE ON BENCH WOMAN WITH LUGGAGE LOOKING ONTO SCREEN VARIOUS OF SCREEN SHOWING CANCELLED FLIGHTS VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF WORKERS UNION VERDI WALKING UPSTAIRS BLOWING WHIST
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Crude oil Dissanayake Fuel shortage Iran Israel Sri Lanka U.S
  • Location: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
  • City: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
  • Country: Sri Lanka
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Conflicts/War/Peace,International/National Security
  • Reuters ID: LVA002507418032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Sri Lanka has approved emergency spot purchases and issued tenders for fuel to bridge a shortfall of over 90,000 metric tons of crude oil, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on Tuesday (March 17).
    This followed Dissanayake’s announcement that Sri Lanka is currently unable to receive the two vessels carrying over 90,000 metric tons of crude oil within their scheduled timeframe, resulting in a shortfall of fuel supply “required to meet our needs”. 
    Sri Lanka, which is recovering from a severe financial crisis that peaked in 2022 caused by a shortfall of dollars, faces a supply squeeze linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
    Fresh tenders will be issued on Tuesday and Wednesday (March 18) for petrol, diesel and crude oil shipments, Dissanayake said. Cabinet approval has been given to make spot purchases outside of the regular tender process, he added.
    Most government institutions will also be closed on Wednesdays in a bid to conserve although Colombo’s ports and hospitals were still functioning normally. The South Asian island, which relies heavily on fuel imports, also began fuel rationing last weekend.
    (Production: Channa, Waruna Karunatilake)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register