President discusses urgent measures, reviews ME crisis impact on economy

Saturday, 14 March 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Convenes meeting with Committee on Economic Surveillance to assess oil shock, trade disruptions and supply risks
President earlier urges public to conserve fuel, says supply can be assured only for two months under current conditions

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday reviewed the potential economic fallout from the escalating conflict in the Middle East as the Government intensified monitoring of risks to energy supply, trade and domestic markets, according to the President’s Media Division.

The review took place at a meeting of the Committee on Economic Surveillance held at the Presidential Secretariat under the President’s chairmanship.

The Committee examined the possible impact of rising global oil prices, disruptions to maritime supply chains and broader pressures on international trade that could affect Sri Lanka’s economy.

The President discussed urgent measures required to stabilise the domestic market and safeguard citizens as global uncertainties continue to intensify.

The meeting followed warnings issued by President Dissanayake earlier this week that Sri Lanka’s economic recovery could face renewed pressure if the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global energy supply chains.

In remarks released by the President’s Media Division on Tuesday, the President urged the public to conserve fuel and avoid panic behaviour, noting that the Government can currently guarantee uninterrupted fuel availability only for about two months under existing conditions.

Among those present at the meeting were Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Treasury Secretary and Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma, Chief Adviser to the President on the Digital Economy Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Economic Adviser Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance & Economic Affairs) Russel Aponsu and several heads of key State institutions responsible for energy, trade, ports, tourism and export development.