The problems that existed in the morning are no longer there - President of the Fuel Station Owners' Association

Mr. Kumara Rajapaksa, President of the Fuel Station Owners' Association, stated that the technical issues that arose this morning during the issuance of fuel under the National Fuel Pass, or QR code system, have now been completely resolved. Although fuel issuance under the new system began at 6:00 AM today as per government instructions, some difficulties arose for fuel stations in adapting to this code between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

However, that situation has now been overcome, and fuel distribution based on the QR code is being carried out very successfully across the island-wide network of fuel stations.

However, fuel station owners have also received complaints that some difficulties have arisen in obtaining the QR code for newly registered and recently purchased vehicles. As this is a practical problem faced by new vehicle owners, the Fuel Station Owners' Association expresses confidence that the government will immediately intervene and provide a swift solution. Nevertheless, according to existing regulations, fuel station owners are unable to issue fuel to any vehicle without a QR code, and the President emphasized that obtaining the relevant code through the government system is the responsibility of the vehicle owner. Although a certain amount of fuel was issued only for emergency needs, such as vehicles transporting patients, to prevent public unrest during the technical glitches this morning, no fuel is currently being issued without the code in any way.

As fuel station operators and pump attendants have been entrusted with the direct responsibility of dealing with the public in implementing the new system, they are working to carry it out very efficiently and lawfully. When scanning the QR code of customers who come to obtain fuel through this system, fuel station employees can verify all information, including the registered number of the relevant vehicle. Accordingly, there will be no opportunity to bring a QR code belonging to another person or vehicle and obtain fuel for a different vehicle, and fuel will only be issued to the specific vehicle identified by the system. Furthermore, providing fuel for cans or bottles is strictly prohibited for any reason, and the Fuel Station Owners' Association further requests the public to come only with their own vehicle, even if they possess the code, to obtain their allocated fuel quota.