QR and odd-even methods will minimize queues - Tomorrow (21) and the day after tomorrow (22) fuel will not be distributed.

Due to the delay in fuel supply to the country caused by the war situation in the Middle East, the government re-introduced the QR and odd-even system with the aim of managing existing reserves, which has significantly reduced long fuel queues across the country. With the implementation of this system since yesterday (19th), fuel queues were completely absent in some areas, stated Mr. Mayura Nettikumara, Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

He further pointed out that a fuel tanker arrived in the island yesterday, and with the confirmed fuel stocks expected to arrive in the future, fuel supply can be maintained without any issues until the end of the upcoming May. Fuel is issued based on the last digit of the vehicle's license plate and matching odd or even days according to the monthly calendar, and the Managing Director also mentioned that the work to facilitate QR access for individuals who have not yet transferred vehicle ownership to their names has been largely completed.

However, the Petroleum Corporation has announced that fuel will not be issued to distributors tomorrow and the day after tomorrow as usual. Therefore, they have been instructed to submit the relevant cheques to the stock terminal or order division on the previous day itself, in order to ensure the continuous operation of filling stations and prevent order delays. Commenting on this, Mr. Ananda Palitha, convener of the Samagi Combined Trade Union Alliance, stated that given the current crisis, fuel supply should be considered an essential service and distribution activities should be carried out continuously.

According to these new rules, since today is an even day, fuel can only be obtained by vehicles whose license plate's last digit is an even number. Meanwhile, Mr. Sumudu Ratnayake, Advisor to the Ministry of Digital Economy, stated at a press conference held in Colombo yesterday that the issues related to the QR system have now been completely resolved. However, even though nearly a week has passed since the implementation of this QR system, there are reports that some vehicle owners have not yet been able to obtain fuel even once.