Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Thursday Mar 19, 2026
Thursday, 19 March 2026 05:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Authorities tightened vehicle fuel distribution with an odd-even rationing system as panic buying persists, even as Litro Gas Lanka sought to ease concerns by assuring uninterrupted LPG supplies.
With panic buying of vehicle fuel continuing despite the re-introduction of the QR-code based fuel quota, a new measure will come into effect from today, tightening controls on distribution as authorities seek to manage demand and ease pressure on supply chains.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said fuel will be issued based on the last digit of vehicle number plates on an odd-even basis.
Accordingly, vehicles with number plates ending in even digits, including zero, will be eligible to obtain fuel on even-numbered days, while those with odd-numbered plates will be served on alternate days.
The move marks a further escalation of rationing measures as queues and congestion persist at filling stations amid renewed demand pressures.
Separately, the Fuel Station Owners’ Association announced that from yesterday fuel will only be issued upon presentation of a valid QR code, removing earlier concessions that allowed limited distribution without the system.
Association Chairman Kumar Rajapaksha said no fuel will be released without the QR code under any circumstances, including emergencies.
“If there are problems with the QR code, call 1919 and get them resolved before coming to the fuel station. We gave some concessions earlier by issuing fuel without the QR code, but from now on, fuel will only be issued through the QR system,” he said.
The stricter enforcement comes as authorities attempt to curb excessive demand and restore order at fuel stations, where panic-driven queues have continued despite the reinstatement of the quota mechanism.
Seperately, Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. yesterday said it will continue to receive regular LPG shipments, with a vessel scheduled to arrive every three days as part of ongoing supply arrangements.
Existing stocks are adequate to meet domestic demand until the end of April, supported by inventory held at storage facilities in the Maldives.
As part of the supply pipeline, a vessel carrying 88,000 metric tons of LPG from the United States is due to reach the Maldives tomorrow, while a second shipment of the same volume is expected on 20 April.
Litro said steps have been taken to ensure continuity of supply, noting that arrangements are in place to meet the country’s gas requirements without disruption.
