Sri Lanka has announced a four-day work week for state institutions in an effort to conserve scarce fuel supplies, as the nation braces for the impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East. The measure comes after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz pass.
Prabath Chandrakeerthi stated that the new schedule, starting Wednesday, will also apply to schools and universities and will remain in effect indefinitely. The government has encouraged the private sector to adopt the same approach, designating Wednesdays as a holiday.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that essential services—including hospitals, ports, and emergency response units—will continue to operate normally. Civil servants are also being asked to work remotely where feasible, and all public ceremonies have been suspended to reduce fuel consumption.
Fuel rationing began on Sunday, limiting motorists to 15 litres of petrol or diesel per week, while public transport operators are allocated up to 200 litres. Officials noted that current reserves are sufficient for roughly six weeks, but any disruption to supply could severely affect the country.
Sri Lanka imports all of its oil and coal, sourcing refined petroleum from Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea, and crude oil for its domestic refinery from the Middle East. The government warned that a prolonged conflict could threaten the country’s ongoing economic recovery following the 2022 debt default, which led to a $2.9 billion bailout from the IMF.
These measures highlight the government’s efforts to balance fuel conservation with essential services, while preparing the nation for potential long-term disruptions in energy supply.
