No Disruption to Fuel Distribution, Says Minister Kumara Jayakody

04-Mar-2026

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Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody stated that the current unrest in the Middle East will not cause any disruption or delay in fuel distribution. He urged opposition members not to create unnecessary fear among the public regarding the fuel supply system.

He made these remarks in Parliament on March 3 while responding to oral questions raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Hector Appuhamy.

The Minister said that while the government cannot control the unstable situation in Middle Eastern countries, it can manage any resulting impacts or crises at the national level.

Fuel distribution has now returned to normal across the country, and there will be no disruption or delay. He requested opposition members not to mislead the public by spreading fear about the fuel supply system.

He further explained that storage facilities are currently insufficient to fully refine and store imported crude oil. The oil tanks owned by Sri Lanka in Trincomalee are being fully utilized. Steps are underway to construct two additional oil storage tanks in the area.

He added that if the Trincomalee oil tanks had not been allocated to India, Sri Lanka would have been able to store oil beyond its immediate requirements. He urged opposition members to reflect on past decisions rather than merely criticizing the present situation.