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Sri Lanka introduces weekly holiday to cut fuel use
Public institutions across Sri Lanka will close every Wednesday as part of emergency measures to conserve fuel, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced on Monday.
The decision comes as Asian nations brace for potential oil supply disruptions following escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Why the Strait of Hormuz matters
The narrow waterway carried nearly 90% of the oil and gas bound for Asia last year. With the route now restricted, governments across the region are implementing strict conservation policies to stretch dwindling reserves.
Asia's austerity drive
Sri Lanka's move follows similar steps taken by other Asian countries:
- Thailand has urged workers to wear short-sleeved shirts instead of suits to reduce air conditioning use.
- Myanmar has introduced odd-even license plate rules, limiting private vehicles to alternate days.
- Bangladesh has advanced Ramadan holidays for universities and scheduled rolling blackouts nationwide.
- The Philippines has ordered government employees to work from home one day a week and banned non-essential public travel. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also announced cash aid of 3,000-5,000 pesos ($50-$84) for tricycle drivers, farmers, and fishermen.
- Vietnam is encouraging citizens to stay home, use bicycles, carpool, or rely on public transport to curb fuel consumption.
Sri Lanka's fuel rationing returns
The new four-day workweek applies to schools and universities but exempts essential services like healthcare and immigration. Authorities chose Wednesday as the additional holiday to avoid consecutive closures with the weekend.
Motorists must now register for a National Fuel Pass, which limits purchases to 15 liters for cars and 5 liters for motorcycles. The quotas, reintroduced after a 2022 economic crisis left the country unable to import fuel, have drawn criticism for being too restrictive.
Oil prices surge amid conflict
Global crude prices have climbed to around $100 per barrel since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began late last month. President Dissanayake warned officials to "prepare for the worst, but hope for the best" during Monday's emergency meeting.
Public reaction
While some Sri Lankans support the measures as necessary, others argue the fuel quotas are insufficient for daily needs. The government has not indicated whether further restrictions may follow.
