The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will suspend its QR code quota system for petrol vehicles from midnight tonight (April 11) until April 18, providing relief to motorists heading home for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday.
CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna confirmed the temporary relaxation, which means petrol vehicle owners can obtain fuel directly from filling stations without scanning QR codes during the week-long Avurudu period. The move comes amid improved fuel availability and easing queues at stations.
However, the odd-even number plate system remains in force throughout the suspension period. The QR system for diesel vehicles is also unchanged.
Furnace oil shipment tomorrow
CPC Managing Director Mayura Netthikumarage separately confirmed that a 30,000 metric tonne furnace oil shipment is scheduled to arrive on April 12. The consignment will be directed towards electricity generation, easing pressure on the national grid during the holiday period.
Netthikumarage added that discussions on importing Russian oil continue under several existing agreements, though no concrete supply terms have been finalised.
The QR suspension is the most significant easing of fuel rationing measures since the emergency restrictions were imposed in response to Hormuz-linked supply disruptions. A crackdown on fuel hoarding had also preceded the holiday season, with 31 people arrested for stockpiling fuel.
The temporary easing does not signal a permanent end to the QR system. CPC is expected to reassess fuel supply levels after the Avurudu holiday before deciding whether to extend the suspension or reintroduce digital quotas.
Sources: Ada Derana, NewsFirst, Newswire
