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Scheduled Fuel Shipments
Timeline for upcoming fuel imports to Sri Lanka in April
Primary Sources
Fuel Crisis Twist: From Protests to Dependence on India -
A dramatic reversal unfolds as Sri Lanka’s leadership, once fiercely opposed to Indian energy deals, now turns to New Delhi for survival amid a worsening fuel crisis triggered by global conflict. Amid an escalating oil crisis driven by the Middle East war, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held urgent discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Sri Lanka once again grapples with fuel shortages and energy insecurity. Follow The Morning Telegraph WhatsApp Channel Get breaking updates, instant alerts, and exclusives. Join Now The situation echoes the economic collapse under Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration, when then Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa travelled to India to secure a vital credit line that enabled Sri Lanka to import fuel and essential goods, ultimately bringing an end to crippling fuel queues across the country. This pattern reinforces a consistent reality in Sri Lanka’s energy crisis narrative. Whenever fuel shortages intensify, Colombo turns to India for immediate assistance. Recognizing this dependency, the Ranil Wickremesinghe government in 2003 moved to lease 15 oil tanks in Trincomalee to India under the framework of the Indo Sri Lanka Agreement of 1987. However, the decision triggered fierce political backlash, with the SLFP and JVP leading nationwide protests, accusing the government of compromising national assets. The resulting political pressure derailed the agreement and stalled progress. By 2004, political upheaval further disrupted continuity when President Chandrika Kumaratunga aligned with the JVP and dissolved Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government, effectively halting any advancement of the Trincomalee oil tank development project. A decade later, in 2015, the Sirisena Ranil administration attempted to revive the initiative by proposing a joint venture between India and Sri Lanka to develop 85 unused oil tanks in Trincomalee. Once again, strong resistance emerged, led by the JVP, which organized protests claiming that strategic national resources were being handed over to India. Anura Kumara Dissanayake himself publicly opposed the move, raising concerns over sovereignty and control. In a parliamentary statement in 2018, Anura Kumara Dissanayake criticized the decision to involve the Indian Oil Company, arguing that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation possessed the financial capacity and strategic advantage to independently develop the tank farm. He emphasized that such development could have strengthened Sri Lan...
Be Prepared for All Outcomes, Says President
COLOMBO (News 1st); A discussion aimed at identifying the possible economic impact of the ongoing war situation on Sri Lanka and the urgent steps required to manage it was held this morning under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.The meeting took place at the Presidential Secretariat.During the discussion, the President emphasized the importance of maintaining constant vigilance regarding emerging developments in every sector and stressed that challenges must be overcome collectively.The President noted that although future scenarios cannot be predicted with certainty, Sri Lanka must monitor emerging developments in every sector continuously and work collectively to overcome the challenges ahead.A lengthy discussion was held on the potential challenges that could arise regarding fuel and gas supplies, the need for proper stock management, as well as the possible impacts on the tourism, export, investment sectors, and food security, including the effect these could have on domestic inflation and the steps required to manage such risks.The President also instructed officials to focus on ensuring that Sri Lanka maintains the economic stability it has achieved so far, while minimizing the impact on the daily lives of the public and maintaining control over inflation.While current fuel reserves are deemed sufficient, attention was drawn to the need for maintaining and managing necessary stocks in anticipation of future risks, as well as the expected volatility in global fuel prices. The President examined the steps that may be required to manage these challenges.Meanwhile, the President instructed the relevant agencies to ensure that all necessary facilities are provided to tourists currently affected.Officials from the Ministry of Tourism pointed out that since the majority of tourists arriving in Sri Lanka come from Europe, and because they travel through the Middle East, discussions are underway on alternative aviation measures to ensure the continuity of the tourism industry.According to the Presidential Media Division, attention was also directed toward identifying opportunities that may arise within the investment sector.
President's full speech on impact of Middle East conflict
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that Sri Lanka expects all parties involved in the war to commit themselves at the earliest opportunity to building a peaceful world. The President pointed out that the current situation could have a severely adverse impact on the global economy and on ...
Diplomats Sound Alarm: BRICS Misstep and Oil Delay Could Cost Sri Lanka ...
Referring to the March 26 meeting between the Russian delegation, led by Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin, and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Udayanga noted that although the Sri Lankan government has expressed readiness to purchase fuel, fertilizer, and coal through direct state-to-state agreements, serious doubts remain about the ...
