Government Reinstates QR Fuel Pass and Declares Wednesdays a Public Holiday to Conserve Energy

The Sri Lankan government announced on March 15-16, 2026, the reintroduction of the digital QR code-based National Fuel Pass to ration petrol and diesel sales nationwide. The system, last used during the 2022 economic crisis, assigns each registered vehicle a set weekly fuel quota based on vehicle category. Motorists are required to present their QR code at fuel stations to access their allocation.

In parallel, the Cabinet declared every Wednesday a public holiday, reverting to a four-day working week to reduce fuel consumption and ease pressure on the national power grid. Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody warned Parliament that power interruptions could become unavoidable if global fuel supply conditions do not improve. The government said adequate strategic reserves are held to maintain essential services while alternative procurement arrangements are pursued with suppliers outside the Persian Gulf region.