No discussion to re-introduce fuel pass – Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has refuted reports yesterday (16) of the claims that a discussion has been held to reintroduce the National Fuel Pass QR system or any quota system for fuel in Sri Lanka.

Taking to ‘X’, Minister Wijesekera said that neither the Government nor the Ministry of Power and Energy (MOPE) nor the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has carried out any discussions to re-introduce the National Fuel Pass QR system or any quota system for fuel.
  

The Minister further said that the Ministry, CPC and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) have only held discussions to plan for cargo requirements for the next 12 months and to increase the existing storage capacities at CPSTL Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela terminals and regional depots in order to maintain a larger buffer stock.

The Power and Energy Minister’s message on his ‘X’ account comes in response to reports on local media channel Ada Derana and The Morning newspaper, claiming that discussions have been held to reintroduce the National Fuel Pass QR system.

The Ministry of Power and Energy suspended the National Fuel Pass QR system in September 2023.

A QR system was introduced for fuel purchase by the Ministry of Power and Energy following the fuel crisis faced in Sri Lanka in 2022, which resulted in long queues at fuel stations.