Saturday Mar 28, 2026
Saturday Mar 28, 2026
Saturday, 28 March 2026 00:43 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Amid mounting fuel pressures linked to the Middle East crisis, the Government has begun facilitating supplies for manufacturing firms, with over 2,500 requests already recommended through a structured distribution system.
Industry Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara said 2,551 requests from manufacturing companies had been forwarded to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) as of Thursday, following a data collection drive to assess energy needs across the sector.
Addressing the media, she noted that a total of 2,846 requests had been received from companies of all sizes by yesterday morning, with further applications continuing to come in.
The move comes as authorities step up efforts to shield key economic sectors from fuel disruptions, with manufacturing identified as a priority area to maintain production continuity and supply chains during the ongoing global uncertainty.
Under the newly introduced mechanism, she said fuel distribution will be carried out based on requirement levels and coordinated at Provincial and District levels.
“Companies requiring less than 400 litres of diesel will be able to obtain supplies through provincial fuel stations, while those needing between 400 and 6,600 litres will be serviced through Sri Lanka Transport Board depots at the provincial level. Larger users requiring over 6,600 litres will receive supplies directly from the CPC,” she explained.
Jayasundara said firms that have not yet secured fuel allocations can still register with the Ministry and channel their requests through the relevant Provincial Secretariats, particularly for micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) needing below 400 litres.
She added that the Ministry, together with a special committee headed by Minister Bimal Rathnayake, has already instructed both the CPC and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to ensure uninterrupted energy supply for manufacturing and distribution activities.
