Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath has signalled that fuel rationing measures could be gradually lifted as supply conditions improve, with nine fuel shipments scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka during April.
Speaking at the JVP’s “April Heroes Day” commemoration in Matara on April 5, Herath said the government has “already managed the energy crisis that emerged after the outbreak of the Middle East war” and is prepared to begin rolling back emergency restrictions.
Restrictions on the table
Three key measures introduced during the fuel rationing crisis could be withdrawn:
- The QR-based fuel distribution system, which Herath described as “functioning effectively” with queues having eased
- The odd-even number plate system restricting which vehicles can refuel on given days
- The Wednesday public holiday, implemented to cut fuel consumption
The minister cautioned that all changes would be conditional on supply holding steady, offering no specific timeline for removal.
Supply picture improves
The nine April shipments represent a significant increase from the four shipments previously confirmed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation from India and Singapore. It is unclear whether the nine include the four CPC shipments or represent additional deliveries, potentially including the Chinese fuel shipment secured in recent diplomatic talks.
Herath urged the public not to panic about fuel availability, framing the government’s handling of the crisis as a success despite months of rationing, vehicle queues, and a work-from-home directive for public servants.
The statement marks the first time a senior government minister has explicitly raised the prospect of exiting emergency fuel measures since rationing began in March.
