Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced a series of emergency measures to safeguard the island’s economy and ensure energy security as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East disrupts global fuel supply chains and heightens domestic anxiety over essential goods and services. In a special media post, Mr. Dissanayake reaffirmed the policy of strict neutrality in the conflict, stressing that all diplomatic and economic decisions are being guided by the need to maintain stability and international trust. Meanwhile, the Government has also introduced a QR-code system to manage fuel distribution and announced plans to reduce public sector fuel consumption by at least 25 percent, including designating Wednesdays as a government holiday. Mr. Dissanayake expressed confidence that ongoing monitoring by an Economic Monitoring Committee and support from the Central Bank will help Sri Lanka navigate the crisis while preserving recent economic gains.
News On AIR | March 18, 2026 7:46 AM
Sri Lanka: President Announces Emergency Measures to Protect Economy Amid Middle East Crisis