The image shows a close-up of a person’s hands holding a fuel pump nozzle while refueling a vehicle at a petrol station, highlighting fuel consumption and ongoing concerns over energy shortages.
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Sri Lanka Imposes Weekly Holiday Amid Fuel Crisis

Sri Lanka has announced a weekly public holiday on Wednesdays for government institutions. It happened because authorities have moved swiftly to conserve fuel amid mounting concerns over global supply disruptions that is linked to the tensions involving United States, Israel, and Iran.

The image shows a close-up of a person’s hands holding a fuel pump nozzle while refueling a vehicle, highlighting fuel usage concerns as Sri Lanka cuts the workweek to conserve energy amid a growing crisis.

“We must prepare for the worst, but hope for the best”, Anura Kumara Dissanayake said during an emergency meeting with senior officials on Monday. His remarks have highlighted growing anxiety across the region. This is especially due to uncertainty in energy supplies.

The decision has come after witnessing the disruption on the Strait of Hormuz which is a crucial oil transit route for continents. Notably, nearly 90% of oil and gas passing through the strait last year was destined for Asia. It is the world’s largest importing region of oil and gas that comes from Strait of Hormuz. As a result, governments across Asia have begun implementing austerity measures to manage the crisis.

Asia Adopts Diverse Measures to Curb Fuel Consumption

Across the region, authorities have adopted varied strategies to curb fuel use. In Thailand, officials are encouraging citizens to wear lighter clothes that help to reduce the reliance on air conditioning. Meanwhile, Myanmar has imposed alternating driving days based on license plate numbers. They are aiming to limit unnecessary travel.

Similarly, Bangladesh has also adjusted academic schedules by advancing Ramadan holidays. They also introduced a controlled power outage nationwide. In Philippines, government offices are now requiring employees to work remotely at least once a week. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has additionally restricted non-essential official travel and introduced financial aid for vulnerable sectors.

Furthermore, Vietnam has urged citizens to reduce travel, promote carpooling, and use public transportation wherever possible. Authorities have also encouraged people to stay home more frequently to minimize fuel demand.

Sri Lanka Enforces Fuel Rationing and Four-Day Workweek

Within Sri Lanka, the newly introduced four-day workweek extends to schools and universities. However, essential services that includes healthcare and immigration, will continue without interruption. Officials clarified that selecting Wednesday instead of Friday will prevent extended three-day closures.

At the same time, motorists must register for a National Fuel Pass, which limits fuel purchases. Currently, private cars can access up to 15 litres, while motorcycles receive five litres. Although authorities argued that these measures are necessary. Meanwhile, some citizens have expressed dissatisfaction and stated that the quotas remain insufficient.

This rationing system is not new. In fact, Sri Lanka first introduced similar restrictions during its 2022 economic crisis, when depleted foreign reserves severely limited fuel imports. Meanwhile, global oil prices have surged to around $100 per barrel following the recent military actions. Consequently, governments across Asia have also continuously trying to balance economic stability with energy conservation, as uncertainty surrounding supply chains increased.

Web Resources on Sri Lanka’s Energy Conservation Measures

1. TheGuardian.com: Sri Lanka brings in four-day week to eke out stocks of oil and gas hit by Iran war
2. BusinessStandard.com: Sri Lanka declares Wednesdays off amid fuel supply crunch
3. BBC.com: Sri Lanka declares Wednesdays off as Asian countries try to conserve fuel
4. AcademicBlock.com: Oil Prices Surge Despite Record Reserves Release Amid Iran War

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